Barcode-reading system that obtains ranging data via targeting illumination

ABSTRACT

A barcode-reading system may include a barcode-reading enhancement accessory that is securable to a mobile device. The accessory may include an optic system that is configured to shape and filter illumination from a white light source of the mobile device to project targeting illumination onto a target surface. Calibration data may indicate a relationship between surface distance and at least one feature offset of the targeting illumination. A barcode-reading application may determine a feature offset of the targeting illumination in an image that is captured by the camera assembly of the mobile device. The application may also determine an estimated surface distance based on the calibration data and the feature offset. The application may also use the estimated surface distance to adjust at least one operating parameter of the mobile device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/621,239 (the '239 Application), filed Jun. 13, 2017, tilted “BARCODE-READING SYSTEM THAT OBTAINS RANGING DATA VIA TARGETING ILLUMINATION” (Attorney Docket No. 3271-2-106). The '239 application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/207,484, filed Jul. 11, 2016, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,665,760 (hereinafter “the '760 patent”) on May 30, 2017, and titled “BARCODE-READING SYSTEM” (Attorney Docket No. 3271-2-099). The '760 patent claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 62/318,216, filed Apr. 5, 2016, and titled “BARCODE-READING SYSTEM” (Attorney Docket No. 3271-2-099-P). The '239 application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/304,830, filed Jun. 13, 2014, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,679,175 on Jun. 13, 2017, and titled “BARCODE READER RANGING USING TARGETING ILLUMINATION” (Attorney Docket No. 3271-2-059).

BACKGROUND

Smartphones and other types of portable, hand-held computing devices, such as tablet computers, are in widespread use today, most often in connection with entertainment, communications and office productivity. Most smartphones include a camera, and applications have been developed for using the camera to read barcodes. In a typical known application an image feed from the camera is displayed on the display screen of the smartphone.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, a barcode-reading system for a mobile device is disclosed. The mobile device may include a camera assembly and a white light source for providing illumination. The barcode-reading system may include a barcode-reading enhancement accessory, calibration data, and a barcode-reading application. The barcode-reading enhancement accessory may be securable to the mobile device. The barcode-reading enhancement accessory may include an optic system that is positionable within a field of illumination of the white light source when the barcode-reading enhancement accessory is secured to the mobile device. The optic system may be configured to shape and filter the illumination from the white light source to project targeting illumination onto a target surface. The calibration data may indicate a relationship between surface distance and at least one feature offset of the targeting illumination. The barcode-reading application may be stored in memory of the mobile device. The barcode-reading application may be executable by a processor of the mobile device to determine a feature offset of the targeting illumination in an image that is captured by the camera assembly of the mobile device. The barcode-reading application may also be executable to determine an estimated surface distance based on the calibration data and the feature offset. The barcode-reading application may also be executable to use the estimated surface distance to adjust at least one operating parameter of the mobile device.

Adjusting the at least one operating parameter of the mobile device may include adjusting intensity of the illumination provided by the white light source of the mobile device.

The targeting illumination may include a rectangular targeting bar. Determining the feature offset may include determining a width of the rectangular targeting bar.

The optic system may include an optical filter that is configured to pass a limited spectrum of the illumination emitted by the white light source. The image may include a plurality of channel images. A channel image of the plurality of channel images may be used to determine the feature offset of the targeting illumination. The channel image may be more sensitive to the limited spectrum that is passed by the optical filter than other channel images of the plurality of channel images.

The calibration data may include a plurality of surface distance fields and a plurality of feature offset fields. Each feature offset field may be associated with a corresponding surface distance field.

Determining the estimated surface distance may include identifying a feature offset field whose value is closest to the feature offset in the image and returning a value of a corresponding surface distance field as the estimated surface distance.

Determining the estimated surface distance may include interpolating the estimated surface distance using the calibration data and the feature offset in the image.

The calibration data may include a plurality of records. Each record may include a surface distance field that indicates a surface distance, a second location field that indicates a location of a second feature of the targeting illumination in the calibration image, and a feature offset field indicating a difference between the location of the first feature of the targeting illumination in the calibration image and the location of the second feature of the targeting illumination in the calibration image.

The calibration data may include a mathematical formula that receives, as an input, the feature offset of the targeting illumination. The calibration data may also include a mathematical formula that provides, as output, the estimated surface distance.

The barcode-reading application may be configured to cause the camera assembly to capture a plurality of calibration images and record information about the plurality of calibration images in the calibration data.

A barcode-reading application for a mobile device is also disclosed. The barcode-reading application may include a processor, memory, a camera assembly, and a white light source for emitting illumination. The barcode-reading application may include executable code. When stored in the memory executed by the processor, the executable code may determine a feature offset of targeting illumination in an image that is captured by the camera assembly of the mobile device. The targeting illumination may be produced by an optic system of a barcode-reading enhancement accessory that is secured to the mobile device. The executable code may also determine an estimated surface distance based on the calibration data and the feature offset. The executable code may also use the estimated surface distance to adjust at least one operating parameter of the mobile device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a barcode-reading system.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an exemplary mobile device useful in a barcode-reading system.

FIGS. 2B and 2C show a back side surface and a face surface of an exemplary mobile device that may be used in the barcode-reading system.

FIG. 2D shows an exemplary tip/ring/ring/sleeve (TRRS) connector.

FIG. 2E shows an image output format.

FIG. 3A is a flow diagram of an exemplary process for an operation of an application retrieval system.

FIG. 3B is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary process for an operation of an application server.

FIG. 3C shows an exemplary structure of a database of applications for downloading.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an exemplary corner-positioned attachment useful in a barcode-reading enhancement system.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an exemplary encapsulating attachment useful in a barcode-reading enhancement system.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an exemplary mounted attachment useful in a barcode-reading enhancement system.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an exemplary target-generating mechanism useful for implementing in an attachment in a barcode-reading enhancement system.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate exemplary targeting patterns useful for implementing in an attachment of a barcode-reading enhancement system.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary exposure illumination system useful for implementing in an attachment of a barcode-reading enhancement system.

FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate exemplary supplementary optics useful for implementing in an attachment of a barcode-reading enhancement system.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an exemplary attachment for a barcode-reading enhancement system which includes a target-generating mechanism and supplementary optics.

FIGS. 12A-12D illustrate an exemplary attachment for a barcode-reading enhancement system which includes a target-generating mechanism.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary attachment for a barcode-reading enhancement system with a target-generating mechanism, an exposure illumination system and supplementary optics useful for implementing in an attachment of a barcode-reading enhancement system.

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary attachment for a barcode-reading enhancement system.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary attachment for a barcode-reading enhancement system which includes a target-generating mechanism and supplementary optics.

FIG. 16 illustrates exemplary methods useful for an application for a barcode-reading enhancement system.

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary state machine useful for an application for a barcode-reading enhancement system.

FIG. 18A illustrates exemplary autofocus options.

FIG. 18B illustrates exemplary resolution binning methods that can be used to reduce the resolution of a barcode image.

FIG. 19A depicts an exemplary method of target and exposure illumination and shutter control in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 19B depicts another exemplary method of target and exposure illumination and shutter control in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 19C represents a filtering arrangement for the targeting illumination and the supplemental optics.

FIG. 20A is a state machine diagram depicting two states of operation in a barcode-reading application in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 20B is a state machine diagram depicting three states of operation in a barcode-reading application in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 21 shows examples of a data structure of a license key in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 22A depicts an exemplary operation of a license server.

FIG. 22B depicts an exemplary operation of a license server for renewing a license for a mobile device prior to expiration of the license.

FIG. 22C depicts an exemplary database for recording pre-paid licenses that may have been purchased by an individual, organization, company or other group of users.

FIG. 23 is an exploded view of an exemplary barcode-reading enhancement accessory configured as an encapsulating attachment.

FIGS. 24A and 24B are sectional views of the case encasing a mobile device.

FIG. 25 shows an exemplary outer case and exemplary inner carriages that may be accommodated in the outer case.

FIG. 26 shows an exemplary barcode-reading enhancement accessory configured as an encapsulating attachment in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 27 shows the barcode-reading enhancement accessory of FIG. 26 with a mobile device encased into the cavity of the case.

FIG. 28 shows the combined state of the case and the handle assembly of the barcode-reading enhancement accessory of FIG. 26.

FIG. 29 is a cutaway view of an accessory with the handle assembly assembled with a case to encase a mobile device.

FIG. 30 shows another exemplary barcode-reading enhancement accessory configured as an encapsulating attachment in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 31 depicts a case and a platform of another exemplary barcode-reading enhancement accessory along with a mobile device.

FIG. 32 shows an exemplary barcode-reading enhancement accessory with a different latching mechanism.

FIG. 33 shows an exemplary case coupled to a platform, which is configured as an encapsulating attachment.

FIG. 34 depicts an exemplary image processing method for capturing a barcode while a targeting illumination is on.

FIG. 35A shows a composite image of the first, second, and third channel images.

FIGS. 35B-35D show first channel, second channel and third channel images, respectively.

FIGS. 36A and 36B show a grayscale image resulting from combining the first, second, and third channel images with different combining ratios.

FIGS. 37A-37C depict a perspective view of a mobile device encapsulated within an encapsulating attachment in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 38 depicts an encapsulating attachment in accordance with another embodiment.

FIGS. 39A and 39B are an assembled view and an exploded view of an optics module, respectively.

FIGS. 40A and 40B are cross-sectional views of the optics module along the A-A′ and B-B′ lines shown in FIG. 39A.

FIGS. 41A-41C illustrate images of targeting illumination projected by an accessory onto a target surface at three different surface distances.

FIG. 42 is a table illustrating calibration data in accordance with an embodiment in which the calibration data is stored in a lookup table.

FIG. 43 is a table illustrating calibration data in accordance with another embodiment in which the calibration data is stored in a lookup table.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining calibration data.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating a method for obtaining ranging data in accordance with an embodiment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts a system 10 according to one embodiment of the present application wherein mobile devices 18 a-18 d obtain: i) at least one barcode-reading application 24 from an application server 22 a or 22 b; and ii) obtain licensing (e.g., a license key 26) necessary for the operation of the at least one barcode-reading application 24 on the mobile devices 18 a-18 d from a licensing server 21 a or 21 b.

As used in this patent specification and the accompanying claims, the term “mobile device” will be used to describe a portable, hand-held computing device that comprises a camera. As indicated above, one example of a mobile device is a smartphone. Another example of a mobile device is a tablet computer. Yet another example is a hybrid tablet/smartphone device, often nicknamed a “phablet.”

The application server may be, for example, a local application server 22 a or a remote application server 22 b. Similarly, the license server may be a local license server 21 a or a remote license server 21 b. The application server and the license server may operate on distinct hardware or may operate on the same hardware server. For example, the local application server 22 a and the local license server 21 a may operate on the same hardware server 27 or on distinct hardware servers, each coupled to a local area network (LAN) 12. Similarly, the remote application server 22 b and the remote license server 21 b may operate on the same hardware server 29 or on distinct hardware servers, each coupled to the Internet 16.

The system 10 may include a LAN 12 to which each of the local application server 22 a and the local license server 21 a are connected. The LAN 12 may further include at least one wireless access point 14 enabling LAN communications with mobile devices (for example, mobile devices 18 b and 18 c) as well as other computing systems such as a host computer 19 and/or a charging station 21 (e.g. a station for providing power to the mobile device 18 for charging its battery).

The LAN 12 may be coupled to the Internet 16 via a router 13. Although FIG. 1 depicts the LAN 12 coupled to the Internet 16 via a single router 13, such connections may employ multiple routers and firewall systems, including demilitarized zone (DMZ) networks.

Referring to FIG. 2A in conjunction with FIG. 1, each of the mobile devices 18 a-18 d may include a wireless communication system 52 for operating within a wireless network environment. The wireless communication system 52 may comprise any permutation of: i) a local area network (LAN) communications module 56, ii) a wide area network (WAN) communications module 54, and/or iii) a wireless point-to-point communication interface 58.

The LAN communications module 56 may utilize Wi-Fi™ (IEEE 802.11) or similar wireless local area communication protocols for communication with a wireless access point 14 of a wireless portion of a LAN 12, such that the mobile device itself may be an addressable endpoint on the LAN 12, i.e., the mobile device may be assigned an IP address and may be capable of IP communications with other devices over the LAN 12 using IP protocols such as Transmission Connection Protocol (TCP), Uniform Datagram Protocol (UDP), etc. The wireless access point 14 and the LAN communications module 56 may function in accordance with any known wireless communications protocol, including but not limited to the IEEE 802.11 standards, which are sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi™. As will be discussed in more detail, a mobile device, 18 b for example, utilizing its LAN communications module 56 may obtain at least one barcode-reading application 24 from an application server 22 a or 22 b and its license key from a license server 21 a or 21 b via the LAN 12 and, as applicable, the Internet 16.

The WAN communications module 54 may utilize Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), cdma2000, Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, or other similar long-range wireless communication protocols for communication with a wide area wireless Internet service provider (ISP). For example, the ISP may be a mobile telephone service provider and the wireless WAN communications module 54 may be a system for wireless data communications with the access towers of the wireless ISP network 17 (i.e., WAN). Such wireless data communications may occur in accordance with any suitable wireless communication standard, including Third Generation (3G) standards (e.g., Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems (UMTS), cdma2000, Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE), etc.) and/or Fourth Generation (4G) standards (e.g., LTE, Mobile WiMAX, etc.). The wireless ISP network 17 may assign an IP address to the mobile device such that the mobile device may be capable of IP communications with other devices over the wireless ISP network 17 using IP protocols such as TCP, UDP, or the like.

Remote devices (e.g., devices coupled to the Internet 16) may be logically connected to the LAN 12 using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology. As such, a mobile device, 18 d for example, coupled to communicate with the wireless ISP network 17 utilizing its WAN communications module 54 may, utilizing a VPN technology, be an endpoint on the LAN 12. As such, a mobile device 18 may obtain at least one barcode-reading application 24 from the remote application server 22 b (or local application server 22 a utilizing VPN technologies) and its license key 26 from the remote license server 21 b (or the local license server 21 a utilizing VPN technologies) via the wireless ISP network 17 and, as applicable, the Internet 16.

The wireless point-to-point communication interface 58 may form a wireless point-to-point communication link with another compatible system, such as a host computer 19 and/or charging station 21, utilizing Bluetooth® or similar wireless point-to-point communication protocols. The host computer 19 and/or charging station 21 in turn includes a wired and/or wireless LAN interface for communication with a switch (not shown) or the wireless access point 14 of the LAN 12 such that the host computer 19 may be an addressable endpoint on the LAN 12. As will be discussed in more detail, a mobile device, 18 a or 18 c for example, coupled to communicate with the host computer 19 utilizing its wireless point-to-point communication interface 58 may obtain at least one barcode-reading application 24 from an application server 22 a or 22 b and its license key 26 from a license server 21 a or 21 b via its point-to-point connection to the host computer 19 and/or charging station 21 which communicates with the servers via the LAN 12 and, as applicable the Internet 16.

FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrate a back surface and a face surface of an exemplary mobile device 18, respectively. Referring to FIGS. 2B and 2C, the mobile device 18 may comprise a housing 28 with a plurality of external surfaces such as a face surface 72 and a back surface 74 which is generally parallel to the face surface 72 and separated from the face surface 72 by four (4) edge surfaces (each orthogonal to, and extending about the perimeter of, both the face surface 72 and the back surface 74, including a bottom edge 76, a top edge 78 (which is parallel to the bottom edge 76), a right edge 80 and a left edge 82 (which is parallel to the right edge 80).

The face surface 72 may include a user interface such as a capacitive multi-touch display screen 66 (e.g., with a glass cover), which is shown in FIG. 2A, and may define the face surface 72 of the housing 28.

Referring to FIG. 2C, the nomenclature bottom edge 76, top edge 78, right edge 80, and left edge 82 have been chosen because they correspond to the bottom, top, right, and left sides of the display screen 66 of the face surface when the display screen 66 is operated in a portrait mode. Each of the right edge 80 and the left edge 82 may be of equal length and longer than each of the bottom edge 76 and the top edge 78 (which may also be of equal length).

Referring to FIG. 2A, the mobile device 18 may include a processor 44 and a memory 46. The processor 44 may be embodied as a combination of one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSP), or the like, and, when operating, may execute instructions (in the form of an operating system and/or applications) stored in the memory 46. The memory 46 may be any component capable of storing electronic information, including an operating system and/or application instructions executable by the processor 44, and may be embodied as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, on-board memory included with the processor 44, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or registers, etc.

The memory 46 may include an operating system 48, the barcode-reading application 24, the license key 26, one or more other applications 50 a, 50 b, and a data buffer including an image data buffer 89. In operation, the processor 44 may execute instructions embodied in the operating system 48, the barcode-reading application 24, and each of the other applications 50 a, 50 b. Hardware circuits 90 interface the processor 44 with peripheral systems including, but not limited to, a (multi-touch) display screen 66, a wireless communication system 52, a hardwired point-to-point communication interface 60, an audio interface 68, a camera assembly 36, and a white light source 84 (e.g., an illuminator or a flash for utilizing the camera assembly 36 for photography).

The hardwired point-to-point communication interface 60 may utilize Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART), Universal Serial Bus (USB), and similar communication protocols for communicating with a compatible system connected to a data connector 64 b (which may be a part of a single power/data connector 64 such as a USB connector or an Apple® Lightning Connector®).

The audio interface 68 may include circuits for generating analog audio signals on a speaker connector 34 a and receiving analog microphone input on a microphone connector 34 b. The speaker connector 34 a and the microphone connector 34 b may be embodied as a single tip/ring/ring/sleeve (TRRS) connector typically referred to as a head-set connector. FIG. 2D shows an exemplary (female) TRRS connector. The TRRS connector includes four contacts: tip contact 71 a, ring 1 contact 71 b, ring 2 contact 71 c, and sleeve contact 71 d, along the side of recesses 69 a, 69 b, 69 c, and 69 d, which contact the corresponding contacts of the (male) TRRS connector of an audio jack when inserted within the recess. Typically the contacts are for left audio, right audio, microphone, and ground in the order of tip, ring 1, ring 2, and sleeve. A microphone input signal may be a potential difference between the ground contact (sleeve) and the microphone contact (ring 2) generated by a microphone coupled thereto.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the camera assembly 36 may include a (color) photo sensor 42 (i.e., an array of image sensors) positioned parallel to each of the face surface 72 and the back surface 74 and a lens assembly 40 with an optical axis 39 orthogonal to the photo sensor 42 and defining a center line of a camera field of view 38 extending outward from the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18. The photo sensor 42 may include one or more sensors such as charge-coupled display (CCD) sensors, complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensors, or the like.

The lens assembly 40 may receive light reflected from objects within the camera field of view 38. The camera field of view 38 may have an angular size 41 which may be the angle at which the camera field of view 38 spreads with respect to distance from the lens assembly 40. The lens assembly 40 may have a camera aperture size measured as an f-number which is the ratio of the focal length of the lens assembly 40 to the diameter of the entrance pupil (i.e., the lens aperture (an aperture stop or an inherent aperture of the lens component defining the aperture) as viewed through the front of the lens assembly 40).

The camera assembly 36 may further include an auto zoom module 96 and/or an autofocus module 98 which may serve to control an optical zoom setting and/or autofocus setting of the camera, respectively. Autofocus and auto zoom may be controlled by moving the position of at least one of the lenses making up the lens assembly 40 with respect to each other (or with respect to the photo sensor 42) and/or altering the curvature of at least one of the lenses making up the lens assembly 40.

In general, the camera lens assembly 40 and the autofocus module 98 (which compensates for limited depth of field at larger apertures) and the auto zoom module 96 (which adjusts the angular size 41 and image magnification) are designed and/or optimized for general-purpose photography, and may therefore not be ideal for barcode capture and/or decoding. More specifically, in a barcode-reading application an operator expects to read and decode a barcode in less than 300 ms. The focus and zoom adjustment process may require significantly more time and therefore, if used, it would significantly delay the response time in a barcode-reading application.

If the camera lens assembly 40 is fixed (e.g., not adjusted for focus and zoom) at any particular focus and/or zoom setting for the lens assembly 40, the combination of the angular size 41 and the camera aperture size affect the camera depth of field (e.g., the range of distances at which a barcode of a particular modular size is imaged onto the photo sensor with sufficient size and sharpness for decoding). The angular size 41 affects the minimum distance at which a barcode of a certain overall size can be imaged onto the photo sensor 42.

The photo sensor 42 may be coupled to system-on-chip circuits 92 which include an output module 91 and an auto-white balance module 93. In one embodiment, the output module 91 may control the operation of the photo sensor 42 (e.g., exposure, gain, and coupling of pixels to analog-to-digital (A/D) converters for image read out), format the digital intensity values of each pixel of the photo sensor 42 for color image output, and make the color image output available for writing to the image data buffer 89.

In another embodiment, the output module 91 may perform image processing on images captured by the photo sensor 42. Control of the photo sensor 42 and image pre-processing which may be performed by the system on chip circuits 92 are described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/717,112, entitled “BARCODE READER” and filed on May 20, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The auto-white balance module 93 may perform auto-white balance algorithms on the captured image to enhance the quality of color photographs captured by the photo sensor 42 under different illumination conditions. The digital image output 162 (which may be the color image or a result of processing the image one or more times in accordance with the teachings of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/717,112) may be written to the image data buffer 89. The mobile device 18 may include a direct memory access (DMA) system 86 which may be a part of the processor 44. The DMA 86 provides for direct writing of the digital image output 162 from the camera assembly 36 to the image data buffer 89.

The camera assembly 36 may further include a white light source 84. The white light source 84 may include one or more LEDs 84 a, 84 b controlled by the system-on-chip circuits 92.

In an exemplary embodiment, a first LED 84 a may be a white LED. The color of a white LED is typically described using a Kelvin temperature scale with 1500° K representing a warm color “white,” such as that of candlelight, and 9500° K representing a cool color “white,” such as that of a blue sky. The exemplary white LED may be within this range. Alternatively, the exemplary white LED may have a color between 4000° K and 7000° K.

In the exemplary embodiment the second LED 84 b may be an amber LED emitting illumination within the 600-615 nm range. Both the first LED 84 a and the second LED 84 b may be positioned behind a common optic 85 which directs illumination within a field of illumination 83 projecting away from the back surface 74 and having an illumination axis 88 perpendicular to the back surface 74 and an illumination angle 87 which substantially coincides with the field of view 38 of the camera assembly 36. In operation, the system-on-chip circuits 92 may control each LED 84 a, 84 b independently; and control the intensity of each LED 84 a, 84 b independently such that the color of the white illumination of the combined LEDs may be controlled by controlling the intensity of the amber LED with respect to the intensity of the white LED. If the intensity of the amber LED is higher, the white color of the combination will be warmer (lower Kelvin temperature). If the intensity of the amber LED is lower, the color approaches the Kelvin temperature of the white LED alone.

FIG. 2E shows two exemplary image output formats. The image output format from the photo sensor 42 (or from the output module 91 prior to any image processing as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/717,112) may be in either R.G.B. format 164 and/or Y.U.V format 166. The Y.U.V. format 166 may include, for each pixel, a luminous intensity 168 indicative of the overall intensity of light incident on the pixel during the exposure period, a first chromatic 170 representative of a first dimension of color of the light incident on the pixel during the exposure period, and a second chromatic 172 representative of a second dimension of color incident on the pixel during the exposure period.

The R.G.B. format 164 may include, for each pixel, a red intensity value 174 indicating the intensity of red light incident on the pixel during the exposure period, a green intensity value 176 indicating the intensity of green light incident on the pixel during the exposure period, and a blue intensity value 178 indicating the intensity of blue light incident on the pixel during the exposure period.

Returning to FIG. 2A, the mobile device 18 may further include a battery 62 and power circuits 63. In general the power circuits 63 control charging of the battery 62 from power received from an external power source via the power connector 64 a and providing operating power at the voltage and current drawing requirements of the various components of the mobile device 18 from the power received from the battery 62 or the external power source (when connected to the external power source).

Referring to FIG. 2A in conjunction with FIG. 1, in an exemplary embodiment, the operating system 48 may include an application retrieval system 49 which obtains the barcode-reading application 24 and the applications 50 a, 50 b from the application server 22 a or 22 b. In one embodiment, the operation of the application retrieval system 49, which may obtain the barcode-reading application 24 and the other applications 50 a, 50 b from the application server 22 a or 22 b, may be the exclusive means for loading, writing, or otherwise placing the barcode-reading application 24 and the other applications 50 a, 50 b into the memory 46. The operating system 48 may be configured to block or prevent loading of any applications to the memory 46 by any means other than the operation of the application retrieval system 49 in a manner such that the applications 24, 50 a, 50 b may be retrieved exclusively from the application server 22 a or 22 b.

FIG. 3A is a flow diagram of an exemplary process for the operation of the application retrieval system 49. Step 180 represents the application retrieval system 49 of the mobile device 18 establishing a secure connection to the application server 22 a or 22 b over the LAN 12, the wireless ISP network 17 and/or the Internet 16 and authenticating the application server 22 a, 22 b (i.e., mutual authentication between the mobile device and the application server). The mutual authentication may be established by using any conventional authentication protocol.

Step 182 represents rendering, on the display screen 66 of the mobile device 18, identification of applications which are available to the mobile device 18 for downloading. Step 184 represents obtaining user selection of an application to download.

Step 186 represents obtaining an application file package (e.g., an install package) from the application server 22 a or 22 b. The application file package may be temporarily stored in the memory 46 of the mobile device 18.

Step 188 represents installing the application. The installation process may include un-packing the install package and writing an executable application 50 to the memory 46.

FIG. 3B is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary process for operation of an application server 22 a, 22 b. Step 350 represents the application server 22 a, 22 b establishing a secure connection with the mobile device 18 over the LAN 12, the wireless ISP network 17, and/or the Internet 16 and authenticating the mobile device 18 and/or the user of the mobile device 18. Authenticating the user of the mobile device 18 may include: i) authenticating the individual to which the mobile device 18 is assigned or the individual using the mobile device 18, utilizing a combination of a user ID and a password or similar schemes for authenticating an individual, and/or ii) authenticating an organization, company, or other group of users to which the mobile device 18 is assigned, utilizing a combination of a user ID and a password or other similar schemes for identifying whether the mobile device 18 has been assigned to the organization, company, or group and authenticating the assignment. The user ID may be unique to each mobile device 18 or common for all mobile devices 18 assigned to the organization, company, or group.

Step 352 represents the application server 22 a, 22 b determining a plurality of one or more applications (the barcode-reading application 24, applications 50 a, 50 b, etc.) available for download based on the individual, organization, company, or other group to which the mobile device 18 is assigned.

Turning briefly to FIG. 3C, the application server 22 a, 22 b may contain, or have access to, a database 360 which identifies generally available applications 362 which are available to any mobile device 18 without regard to the identification of the user, organization, company, or group to which the mobile device 18 is assigned; and restricted applications 364 which are available only to certain individuals, organizations, companies, and groups. For restricted applications 364, the database 360 may associate each user group 366 a, 366 b with identification of those restricted applications 368 available to that user group 366 a, 366 b. Each user group may be an individual, organization, company, or other group. For example, user group 1 366 a may have access to restricted applications 368 a, 368 b, and 368 c, and user group 2 366 b may have access to restricted application 368 b. In each case these restricted applications may be applications written custom for the user group (and therefore are not made available to other user groups) or may be licensed to the user group (and therefore made available to those user groups which obtained a license for the application).

Returning to FIG. 3B, step 354 represents the application server 22 a, 22 b providing an indication of the available applications to the mobile device 18. The available applications may include any of the generally available applications 362 and/or the restricted applications 364. The indication of the available applications may include, for each application, a display screen icon representing the application. The indication of available applications may not include all available applications but may include only those available applications within parameters established by the user, for example available applications which meet search criteria provided by the user. As such, step 354 may include making a search function available to the mobile device 18, obtaining search criteria or search terms from the user of the mobile device 18, and selecting matching applications that meet the search criteria from the applications available to the individual, organization, company, or group.

Step 356 represents the application server 22 a, 22 b obtaining a user selection of a desired application. The desired application may be one of the available applications indicated to the user at step 354.

Step 358 represents the application server 22 a, 22 b providing an application file package for the desired application to the mobile device 18. The application file package may be provided to the application retrieval system 49 of the mobile device 18 which is provided for writing the file package to a non-volatile memory and unpacking and loading the contents of the file package to generate instructions which, when loaded to a memory, may be executed by the processor 44.

Certain applications such as the barcode-reading application 24 may: i) require a license key from a license server 21 a, 21 b to enable operation of the application, ii) operate in a base mode of operation without a license key but require a license key from a license server 21 a, 21 b to enable at least one enhanced function to operate in an enhanced mode of operation, and/or iii) require a license key from a license server 21 a, 21 b to continue operating, or continue operating in the enhanced mode of operation, following the passage of time or following a threshold level of usage based on the time and/or the quantity of instances with which certain functions were performed (such as the quantity of decoding a barcode of a certain symbology or symbologies).

The at least one enhanced function may be a function of decoding a barcode symbology that the barcode-reading application 24 (e.g., the decoder) is restricted from decoding in the base mode of operation. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one enhanced function may be a function of decoding multiple barcodes in sequence at a rate that is faster than a rate at which the barcode-reading application 24 (e.g., the decoder) can decode multiple barcodes in sequence in the base mode of operation. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one enhanced function may be a function of decoding a quantity of barcodes of a particular symbology that exceeds a restricted threshold quantity of barcodes of the particular symbology that the barcode-reading application 24 (e.g., the decoder) can decode in the base mode of operation.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one enhanced function may remove a demonstration restriction function (i.e., a demonstration factor that makes output of decoded data useful for demonstration purposes only) under which the barcode-reading application 24 functions in the base mode of operation. The demonstration restriction function may be at least one of: i) a function that scrambles decoded data from a barcode of at least one symbology, ii) a function that restricts the decoded data or scrambled decoded data from a barcode of at least one symbology from being made available for further processing, or iii) a function that restricts the decoded data or the scrambled decoded data from a barcode of at least one symbology from being displayed on a display screen of the mobile device 18.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one enhanced function may enable at least one enhanced image processing function that improves an ability to decode an image of a barcode and is not operable when the decoder operates in the base mode of operation. The enhanced image processing function may include preforming additional image processing algorithms which alter the image captured by the camera assembly 36 prior to execution of the algorithms which attempt to decode a barcode depicted within the image.

In accordance with another embodiment, the base mode of operation may include a base decoding mode of operation and a demonstration mode of operation. In the base decoding mode of operation, the barcode-reading application 24 may drive the camera assembly 36 to capture an image of a barcode and apply base decoder functions to the image to identify a barcode symbology. The barcode-reading application 24 may decode the barcode and make decoded data available for further processing if the barcode symbology is a base symbology, and enter the demonstration mode of operation if the barcode symbology is not the base symbology.

In the demonstration mode of operation, the barcode-reading application 24 may apply at least one enhanced barcode-reading function to decode the barcode, and perform at least one of: i) outputting an indication of successful decoding of the barcode, or ii) implementing a restriction function. The restriction function may be at least one of: i) a function that scrambles decoded data, ii) a function that restricts the decoded data or scrambled decoded data from being made available for further processing by at least one application executing on the mobile device, or iii) a function that restricts the decoded data or the scrambled decoded data from being displayed on a display screen of the mobile device 18.

The barcode-reading application 24 may perform an upgrade function in the demonstration mode of operation. The upgrade function may enable user selection to obtain the license code, obtain the license code based on the user selection, establish a network connection to the licensing server 21 a, 21 b, and obtain the license code from the licensing server 21 a, 21 b.

In order to obtain the license code from the licensing server 21 a, 21 b, the barcode-reading application 24 may communicate to the licensing server 21 a, 21 b one of: i) a unique identification code of the mobile device 18, or ii) a user identification code identifying a controller of the mobile device 18.

In accordance with another embodiment, the barcode-reading application 24 (e.g., a decoder application) running on the processor 44 of the mobile device 18 may be configured to control the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 to capture an image of a barcode. The image of the barcode may be affected by at least one optic system of the camera assembly 36. The decoder application may utilize a base decoder function for attempting to decode a barcode if an enhanced decoder mode has not been authorized for the mobile device 18, and utilize an enhanced decoder function for attempting to decode the barcode if the enhanced decoder mode has been authorized for the mobile device 18.

The enhanced decoder function may include a function of decoding a barcode symbology that the decoder application is restricted from decoding if the enhanced decoder mode has not been authorized for the mobile device 18. Alternatively or additionally, the enhanced decoder function may include a function of decoding multiple barcodes in sequence at a rate that is faster than a restricted rate at which the decoder application can decode a sequence of multiple barcodes if the enhanced decoder mode has not been authorized for the mobile device 18. Alternatively or additionally, the enhanced decoder function may include a function of decoding a quantity of barcodes of a particular symbology that exceeds a restricted quantity of barcodes of the particular symbology which the decoder application can decode if the enhanced decoder mode has not been authorized for the mobile device 18. Alternatively or additionally, the enhanced decoder function may remove a demonstration restriction function (i.e., a demonstration factor that makes output of decoded data useful for demonstration purposes) under which the decoder application functions when the enhanced decoder mode has not been authorized for the mobile device 18, thereby making decoded data from a barcode of a particular symbology available for further processing by an application executing on the mobile device 18. The demonstration restriction function may be at least one of: i) a function which scrambles decoded data from a barcode of at least one particular symbology, ii) a function which restricts the decoded data or scrambled decoded data from a barcode of at least one particular symbology from being made available for further processing by at least one application executing on the mobile device 18, or iii) a function which restricts the decoded data or the scrambled decoded data from a barcode of at least one particular symbology from being displayed on a display screen of the mobile device 18. Alternatively or additionally, the enhanced decoder function may enable at least one enhanced image processing function which improves an ability to decode an image of a barcode and is not operable if the enhanced decoder mode has not been authorized for the mobile device 18. The enhanced decoder mode may be authorized by obtaining a license code from a licensing server 21 a, 21 b.

The decoder application may be configured to subject the license code to a predetermined algorithm to determine at least one operating permission authorized by the license code. The enhanced decoder function may correspond to the at least one operating permission authorized by the license code. The decoder application or any other application may be further configured to obtain the license code from the licensing server 21 a, 21 b by communicating to the licensing server one of: i) a unique identification code of the mobile device 18, or ii) a user identification code identifying a controller of the mobile device 18.

The barcode-reading application 24 (and the decoder application) disclosed above may be embodied on a computer-readable medium. The barcode-reading application 24 (and the decoder application) includes instructions executable by the processor 44 of the mobile device 18 for performing the functions disclosed above.

FIG. 20A is a state machine diagram depicting two states of operation in a barcode-reading application 24 in accordance with one embodiment. The first state of operation may be a disabled state 474 (which may also be referred to as a base state). In the disabled state 474, at least one function of the barcode-reading application 24 is disabled such that the barcode-reading application 24 may not output useful decoded data for further processing or transmission by the barcode-reading application 24 but may be capable of connecting to a licensing server 21 a, 21 b to obtain a license to transition the barcode-reading application 24 to a licensed operation state 476 (which may also be referred to as an enhanced operation state). The at least one function that may be disabled includes: i) an image capture function which, if enabled, would enable capturing an image of a barcode for image processing and decoding, ii) a decoding function which, if an image of a barcode is captured, would decode the image of the barcode to generate decoded data, iii) a data processing function which, if decoded data is generated, would process the decoded data as part of a useful workflow, and/or iv) a data transmission function which, if decoded data is generated and/or processed by the barcode-reading application 24, would make the decoded data available to another local application (e.g., another application on the mobile device 18) or a remote application (e.g., another application or database on any of the host computer 19, a local server coupled to the LAN 12, or a remote server coupled to the Internet 16.

The licensed operation state 476 may enable the function(s) that is/are disabled when the barcode-reading application 24 is in the disabled state 474 such that the barcode-reading application 24 may be capable of capturing an image of a barcode for image processing and decoding, decoding the image of the barcode to generate decoded data, and performing, as applicable: i) a data processing function which, if decoded data is generated, would process the decoded data as part of a useful workflow, and ii) a data transmission function which, if decoded data is generated and/or processed by the barcode-reading application 24, would make the decoded data available to another local application (e.g., another application on the mobile device 18) or a remote application (e.g., another application or database on any of the host computer 19, a local server coupled to the LAN 12, or a remote server coupled to the Internet 16.

There may be two sub-embodiments of the licensed operation state 476. In a first sub-embodiment, all of the functions of the barcode-reading application 24 may be enabled. In a second sub-embodiment, all functions of the barcode-reading application 24 may be enabled except restrictions on the output of useful decoded data may be implemented. The restrictions may be specified in the license key which transitions the barcode-reading application 24 from the disabled state 474 to the licensed operation state 476. The restrictions may be symbology restrictions, time restrictions, and/or quantity restrictions.

FIG. 21 shows examples of a data structure of a license key in accordance with some embodiments. A first example license key 702 may include data fields (that may be encrypted) which specify the symbologies 708 (for example, symbologies A, B, and C that correspond to a Universal Product Code (UPC), a Quick Response (QR) Code, and a Portable Data File (PDF)-417) and a lease term 710. The lease term 710 may specify a date and time at which the license key 702 expires. In response to receipt of this license key 702 (and decryption of the license key 702 if encrypted) the barcode-reading application 24 may transition to the licensed operation state 476, decode the specified symbologies 708 when in the licensed operation state 476 (while remaining disabled for decoding other symbologies not specified in the license, for example for a data matrix), and at the end of the lease term 710, transition back to the disabled state 474 (unless a new license key with an updated lease term 710 is received prior to expiration, which functions to extend the expiration of the lease term).

A second example license key 704 may include data fields (that may be encrypted) which specify the symbologies 712 a-c (for example, symbologies A, B, and C that correspond to a UPC, a QR Code, and a PDF-417), and a licensed quantity of decodes 714 a-c for each symbology 712 a-c. The licensed quantity of decodes for a particular symbology, for example the licensed quantity 714 a for symbology 712 a, may be unlimited. The licensed quantity of decodes 714 b-c for symbologies 712 b-c may be limited to a specified quantity. The entire license key 704 may further include a lease term 716 which may specify a date and time at which the license key 704 expires. In response to receipt of this license key 704 (and decryption of the license key 704 if encrypted) the barcode-reading application 24 may transition to the licensed operation state 476, and decode the specified symbologies 712 a-c when in the licensed operation state 476 up to the licensed quantities 714 a-c. The barcode-reading application 24 may remain disabled for decoding other symbologies not specified in the license (e.g., symbologies other than 712 a-c), automatically disable each of symbologies 712 b-c when the total quantity of decodes of each symbology 712 b-c exceeds the licensed quantity 714 b-c (unless a new license key increases the quantity), and transition back to the disabled state 474 (unless a new license key with an updated lease term 710 is received prior to expiration, which functions to extend the expiration of the lease term). In this arrangement, the ability to decode symbologies 712 b-c will expire upon the earlier of: i) reaching the maximum quantity of decodes 714 b-c, or ii) expiration of the lease term 716.

A third example license key 706 may include data fields (that may be encrypted) which specify the symbologies 718 a-c (for example, symbologies A, B, and C that correspond to a UPC, a QR Code, and a PDF-417), a license term 720 a-c for each symbology 718 a-c, and a licensed quantity 722 a-c for each symbology 718 a-c. The license term 720 a-c may specify a date and time at which the license for that particular symbology 718 a-c expires. The license term may be perpetual (e.g., license term 720 a-b) or time limited (e.g., license term 720 c). The licensed quantity of decodes for a particular symbology may be unlimited (e.g., the licensed quantity 722 a for symbology 718 a), or may specify a specific quantity (e.g., the licensed quantity 722 b-c for symbologies 718 b-c).

In response to receipt of this license key 706 (and decryption of the license key 706 if encrypted) the barcode-reading application 24 may transition to the licensed operation state 476, and decode the specified symbologies 718 a-c when in the licensed operation state 476 up to the licensed quantities 722 a-c for each symbology and for the duration of the license term 720 a-c for each symbology. The barcode-reading application 24 may remain disabled for decoding other symbologies not specified in the license (e.g., symbologies other than 718 a-c), and automatically disable each of symbologies 718 b-c when the earlier of: i) the expiration of the license term 720 a-c for each symbology 718 a-c expires, or ii) the total quantity of decodes of each symbology 718 b-c exceeds the licensed quantity 722 b-c, each being subject to extension by a new license key with an increased term duration or an increased quantity.

Each of the license keys may be a data file, specifying the symbologies, the license terms, and the license quantities as depicted in FIG. 21. The data file may be encrypted utilizing an encryption key (e.g., a private key of a public/private key pair). The encrypted data file may form the license key and may be decrypted by the barcode-reading application 24 utilizing an encryption key (e.g., a public key of the public/private key pair). Other known encryption technologies may also be utilized for securing the delivery of the license key to the barcode-reading application including the license restrictions (e.g., licensed symbologies, license terms, and licensed quantities) within the license key.

FIG. 20B is a state machine diagram depicting three states of operation in a barcode-reading application 24 in accordance with another embodiment. The first state of operation may be a base state 470. When in the base state, the barcode-reading application 24 may include barcode-reading capabilities which, although functional and capable of generating useful decoded data, are limited by at least one factor or function (which will be referred to as a demonstration factor) which makes output of decoded data useful for demonstration purposes but not practical for ongoing operation.

The operation of the barcode-reading application 24 in the base state may be a base decoding mode of operation or a demonstration mode of operation. In the base decoding mode of operation, the barcode-reading application 24 may drive the camera of the mobile device 18 to capture an image of a barcode, and apply base decoder functions to the image to identify the barcode symbology. If the barcode symbology is a base symbology, the barcode-reading application 24 may decode the barcode and make the decoded data available for further processing. If the symbology is other than a base symbology, the barcode-reading application 24 may enter the demonstration mode of operation.

In the demonstration mode of operation, the barcode-reading application 24 may apply at least one unlicensed enhanced barcode-reading function to decode the barcode, and perform at least one of: i) outputting an indication of successfully decoding the barcode, or ii) implementing a restriction function. The restriction function may be at least one of: i) a function which scrambles decoded data; ii) a function which restricts the decoded data or scrambled decoded data from the barcode from being made available for further processing by at least one application executing on the mobile device; or iii) a function which restricts the decoded data or the scrambled decoded data from the barcode from being displayed on a display screen of the mobile device.

The at least one demonstration factor may include, but is not limited to: i) a scrambling function which, upon generating decoded data, provides the output in a scrambled or truncated format for purposes of demonstrating decoding capabilities (and decoder performance) but preventing use of the decoded data for further data processing, ii) a time delay function which, upon generating and outputting decoded data (or scrambled decoded data), provides for implementing a time delay before a barcode of the same symbology can again be successfully decoded, iii) an output restriction function which restricts decoded data (or scrambled decoded data) from being made available for further processing by at least one application executing on the mobile device 18, and iv) an output restriction function which enables outputting decoded data (or scrambled decoded data) to the display screen and prevents the decoded data from being further processed by the mobile device 18 (other than presentation on the display screen) or transmission to a remote application.

The demonstration mode of operation may include an upgrade function. The upgrade function may enable user selection to obtain the license code and upon user selection to obtain the license code, establish the network connection to the licensing server and obtain the license code from the licensing server 21 a, 21 b.

The at least one demonstration factor may be applied to selected symbologies or all symbologies. Different demonstration factors may be applied to different symbologies.

The barcode-reading application 24 may transition from the base state 470 to a license key retrieval state 471. Reading a barcode to which a demonstration factor applies may trigger transition of the barcode-reading application 24 to the license key retrieval state 471. Alternatively, the barcode-reading application 24 may transition to the license key retrieval state 471 upon user selection of the license key retrieval state 471.

When in the license key retrieval state 471 the barcode-reading application 24 may connect to a licensing server 21 a, 21 b to obtain a license key. After obtaining the license key, the barcode-reading application 24 may transition to a licensed operation state 472 (i.e., an enhanced operation state).

The licensed operation state 472 may enable the barcode-reading application 24 to function without limitations of the at least one demonstration factor such that the barcode-reading application 24 may be capable of capturing an image of a barcode for image processing and decoding, decoding the image of the barcode to generate decoded data, and performing, as applicable: i) a data processing function which, if decoded data is generated, would process the decoded data as part of a useful workflow, and ii) a data transmission function which, if decoded data is generated and/or processed by the barcode-reading application 24, would make the decoded data available to another local application (e.g., another application on the mobile device 18) or a remote application (e.g., another application or database on any of the host computer 19, a local server coupled to the LAN 12, or a remote server coupled to the Internet 16), in each case without being impeded by the demonstration factor.

As described with respect to the licensed operation state 476 in FIG. 20A, there may be two sub-embodiments of the licensed operation state 472. In a first sub-embodiment, all of the functions of the barcode-reading application 24 may be enabled. In a second sub-embodiment, all functions of the barcode-reading application 24 may be enabled except restrictions on the output of useful decoded data may be implemented. The restrictions may be specified in the license key which transitions the barcode-reading application 24 to the licensed operation state 472. The restrictions may be symbology restrictions, time restrictions, and/or quantity restrictions.

FIG. 22A depicts an exemplary operation of a license server 21 a, 21 b. Step 370 represents receiving a license key request from the barcode-reading application 24 (or other application) of the mobile device 18. Receiving the license key request may include authenticating the user of the mobile device 18. Authenticating the user of the mobile device 18 may include: i) authenticating the individual to which the mobile device is assigned or the individual using the mobile device (or the individual who controls the mobile device), for example utilizing a combination of a user ID and a password or similar schemes for authenticating an individual, and/or ii) authenticating an organization, company, or other group of users to which the mobile device is assigned, for example utilizing a combination of a user ID and a password or other similar schemes for identifying whether the device has been assigned to the organization, company, or group and authenticating the assignment. The user ID may be unique to the device or common for all mobile devices 18 assigned to the organization, company, or group.

Step 372 represents the license server 21 a, 21 b checking whether a pre-paid license is available for the mobile device 18. More specifically, the identity of the individual, organization, company, or other group of users identified during the authentication may be used to look up (e.g., in a license database) licenses available to that individual, organization, company, or other group of users (if any). For a particular individual, organization, company, or other group of users, a certain quantity of licenses may have been pre-purchased.

FIG. 22C depicts an exemplary database 739 for recording pre-paid licenses that may have been purchased by an individual, organization, company or other group of users. Each such individual, organization, company or other group of users may be identified by a group ID 740, 750. Associated with each group ID is one or more license IDs 742, 752 a, 752 b, each of which identifies a license type for the barcode-reading application 24 which may have been purchased in quantities of one or more. Each license type may be, as an example, one of the license types identified by the license keys 702, 704, 706 of FIG. 21.

Each license ID 742, 752 a, 752 b may be associated with identification of: i) the quantity of the license type purchased 744, 754 a, 754 b, ii) the quantity used 746 or the quantity in use 756 a, 756 b, and/or iii) the quantity remaining 748, 758 a, 758 b for issuance to mobile devices 18. It should be appreciated that recording both the quantity used 746 or the quantity in use 756 a, 756 b as well as the quantity remaining 748, 758 a, 758 b for issuance to mobile devices is duplicative as either value can be calculated from the quantity purchased 744, 754 a, 754 b and the other value.

Recording the quantity used 746 is useful when licenses are purchased for a single mobile device, and once a license is issued to a particular mobile device it is permanently associated with that mobile device and may not be re-assigned to another mobile device without manual intervention.

Recording the quantity in use 756 a, 756 b is useful when the licenses are concurrent-use licenses, and when a license assigned to a mobile device expires it is considered no longer in-use and can be reassigned to another mobile device 18.

It should also be appreciated that if the quantity of licenses purchased is unlimited 754 a, it is irrelevant to track in-use licenses 756 a, 756 b and remaining licenses 758 a, 758 b. When utilizing the concurrent-use licenses, for the in-use licenses 756 b, the database may include an in-use table 760 which records, for each license 762, the time 764 at which it expires (e.g., the lease term 710 from FIG. 21) such that upon expiration (if the expiration is not updated by way of renewal), the license will revert to remaining inventory 758 b and can be issued to a different mobile device 18.

It should be appreciated that this licensing scheme enables a mobile device 18 to obtain a license for a specific term, and so long as the mobile device 18 obtains a renewal license prior to expiration, the barcode-reading application 24 can operate under the license even if the mobile device is (periodically) uncoupled from any network and unable to contact the license server 21 a, 21 b.

Returning to FIG. 22A, step 374 represents determining whether a pre-paid license is available. If a prepaid license is available at step 374, a license key for the pre-paid license is generated at step 376 and the database 739 is updated at step 378. Updating the database may include recording the license as used 746 or in use 756 b.

If it is determined at step 374 that a pre-paid license is not available, payment is obtained for a license at step 380. Step 380 may involve determining the type of license being requested (e.g., as identified by license keys 702, 704, 706), including the licensed symbology(ies) as well as license term(s) and license quantity(ies) for each symbology(ies). In one embodiment, the barcode-reading application 24 may, under the control of the license server 21 a, 21 b, generate a menu for user selection of these license parameters (i.e., symbologies, license terms and license quantities) and display on a screen of the mobile device 18 pricing alternatives for desired license parameters.

After payment is obtained, a license key for the license is generated at step 382 and the database 739 is updated at step 384 to reflect a newly purchased license for a user (group ID). If the newly purchased license is a concurrent-use license, updating the database may include recording the license as well as its expiration.

As stated, this licensing scheme enables a mobile device 18 to obtain a license for a specific term, and so long as the mobile device 18 obtains a renewal license prior to expiration, the barcode-reading application 24 can continue operation under the license even if the mobile device 18 is uncoupled from any network and unable to contact the license server 21 a, 21 b.

FIG. 22B depicts an exemplary operation of a license server 21 a, 21 b for renewing a license for a mobile device 18 prior to the expiration of the license (e.g., prior to the in-use license 756 b reverting to a remaining license 758 b).

Step 770 represents receiving a license key renewal request from the barcode-reading application 24 (or other application) of the mobile device 18. Receiving the license key renewal request may include authenticating the user of the mobile device 18. Authenticating the user of the mobile device 18, as discussed, may include: i) authenticating the individual to which the mobile device is assigned, or the individual using the mobile device (or the individual who controls the mobile device), for example utilizing a combination of a user ID and a password, or similar schemes for authenticating an individual, and/or ii) authenticating an organization, company, or other group of users to which the mobile device is assigned, for example utilizing a combination of a user ID and a password or other similar schemes for identifying whether the device has been assigned to the organization, company, or group and authenticating the assignment. The user ID may be unique to the device or common for all mobile devices 18 assigned to the individual, organization, company, or group. The mobile device 18 (e.g., the barcode-reading application) may communicate to the licensing server i) a unique identification code of the mobile device 18 or ii) a user identification code identifying a controller of the mobile device 18.

Step 772 represents the license server 21 a, 21 b matching the user or the mobile device 18 to the existing in-use license, which may be recorded in an in-use table (for example, the in-use table 760 shown in FIG. 22C).

Step 774 represents generating, and providing to the mobile device 18, an update license key which, as depicted by license key 702 of FIG. 21, may include an updated license term.

Step 776 represents updating the license database such that the expiration date of the license in the in-use table 760 is updated.

Embodiments for a barcode-reading enhancement accessory are disclosed hereafter. As used herein, the terms “attachment” and “accessory” are used synonymously and interchangeably, and may refer to an apparatus attached, coupled, or secured to a mobile device. An attachment for a mobile device may include just a single component that improves the barcode-reading capabilities of the mobile device. Alternatively, an attachment may include multiple components that improve the barcode-reading capabilities of the mobile device. In addition, an attachment for a mobile device may provide additional functionality that is unrelated to improving the barcode-reading capabilities of the mobile device. In some embodiments, the attachment improves the ability of the mobile device to read a barcode utilizing the camera assembly and/or the flash/torch illumination system of the mobile device. In some embodiments, the attachment may include a supplemental camera system and/or one or more supplemental illumination systems which provide barcode-reading capability for the mobile device.

In accordance with some embodiments, a barcode-reading system for a mobile device may include a barcode-reading enhancement accessory secured to the mobile device, which will be explained in detail hereafter, and a barcode-reading application stored in a memory of the mobile device 18, which is disclosed above. The barcode-reading enhancement accessory may include at least one optic system that is positioned either within a field of illumination of a light source of the mobile device for modifying the field of illumination projected by the light source or within a field of view of a camera of the mobile device for modifying illumination reflected from objects within the field of view of the camera.

As disclosed above, the barcode-reading application 24 may be configured to operate in a base mode or an enhanced mode. In the base mode of operation, the barcode-reading application 24 may be configured to control a network interface of the mobile device 18 to establish a network connection to a licensing server 21 a, 21 b and obtain a license code from the licensing server 21 a, 21 b; subject the license code to a predetermined algorithm and determine at least one operating permission authorized by the license code; and enable an enhanced mode of operation. In the enhanced mode of operation, the barcode-reading application 24 may be configured to implement at least one enhanced barcode-reading function which corresponds to the at least one operating permission authorized by the license code.

The at least one enhanced barcode-reading function may include a function of decoding a barcode symbology that the decoder is restricted from decoding in the base mode of operation. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one enhanced barcode-reading function may include a function of decoding multiple barcodes in sequence at a rate that is faster than a rate at which the barcode-reading application can decode multiple barcodes in sequence in the base mode of operation. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one enhanced barcode-reading function may include a function of decoding a quantity of barcodes of a particular symbology that exceeds a restricted quantity of barcodes of the particular symbology that the barcode-reading application can decode in the base mode of operation.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one enhanced barcode-reading function may remove a demonstration restriction function under which the barcode-reading application 24 functions in the base mode of operation. The demonstration restriction function may be at least one of: i) a function that scrambles decoded data from a barcode of at least one symbology, ii) a function that restricts the decoded data or scrambled decoded data from a barcode of at least one symbology from being made available for further processing, or iii) a function that restricts the decoded data or the scrambled decoded data from a barcode of at least one symbology from being displayed on a display screen of the mobile device 18.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one enhanced barcode-reading function may enable at least one enhanced image processing function that improves an ability to decode an image of a barcode and is not operable when the decoder operates in the base mode of operation.

The base mode of operation may include a base decoding mode of operation and a demonstration mode of operation. In the base decoding mode of operation, the barcode-reading application may be configured to drive the camera assembly to capture an image of a barcode, and apply base decoder functions to the image to identify a barcode symbology. The barcode-reading application 24 may decode the barcode and make decoded data available for further processing if the barcode symbology is a base symbology, and enter the demonstration mode of operation if the barcode symbology is not the base symbology. In the demonstration mode of operation, the barcode-reading application 24 may be configured to: apply at least one enhanced barcode-reading function to decode the barcode, and perform at least one of outputting an indication of successful decoding of the barcode or implementing a restriction function. The restriction function may be at least one of: i) a function that scrambles decoded data, ii) a function that restricts the decoded data or scrambled decoded data from being made available for further processing by at least one application executing on the mobile device 18, or iii) a function that restricts the decoded data or the scrambled decoded data from being displayed on a display screen of the mobile device 18.

The barcode-reading application 24 may be configured to perform an upgrade function in the demonstration mode of operation. The upgrade function may enable a user selection to obtain the license code, obtain the license code based on the user selection, establish a network connection to the licensing server 21 a, 21 b, and obtain the license code from the licensing server 21 a, 21 b.

In order to obtain the license code from the licensing server 21 a, 21 b, the barcode-reading application 24 may be configured to communicate to the licensing server 21 a, 21 b one of: i) a unique identification code of the mobile device 18, or ii) a user identification code identifying a controller of the mobile device 18.

In accordance with another embodiment, a barcode-reading system for a mobile device may include a barcode-reading enhancement accessory secured to the mobile device 18 and a barcode-reading application 24 stored in a memory of the mobile device 18 and executable by a processor 44 of the mobile device 18. The barcode-reading enhancement accessory may include at least one optic system that is positioned either within a field of illumination of a white light source of the mobile device 18 for modifying the field of illumination projected by the white light source, or within a field of view of a camera of the mobile device 18 for modifying illumination reflected from objects within the field of view of the camera.

The barcode-reading application 24 may include: i) an image capture function for controlling the white light source and the camera to capture an image of a barcode wherein the image of the barcode may be affected by the at least one optic system, ii) a base decoder function for decoding a barcode in a base mode of operation if an enhanced decoder mode has not been authorized, and iii) an enhanced decoder function for decoding a barcode in an enhanced mode of operation if the enhanced decoder mode has been authorized.

The enhanced decoder function may include a function of decoding a barcode that the barcode-reading application 24 is restricted from decoding in the base mode of operation. Alternatively or additionally, the enhanced decoder function may include a function of decoding multiple barcodes in sequence at a rate that is faster than a restricted rate at which the barcode-reading application 24 can decode a sequence of multiple barcodes when in the base mode of operation. Alternatively or additionally, the enhanced decoder function may include a function of decoding a quantity of barcodes of a particular symbology that exceeds a restricted quantity of barcodes of the particular symbology which the barcode-reading application 24 can decode when in the base mode of operation.

Alternatively or additionally, the enhanced decoder function may remove a demonstration restriction function under which the barcode-reading application 24 functions when in the base mode of operation, thereby making decoded data from a barcode of a particular symbology available for further processing by an application executing on the mobile device 18. The demonstration restriction function may be at least one of: i) a function which scrambles decoded data from a barcode of at least one particular symbology, ii) a function which restricts the decoded data or scrambled decoded data from a barcode of at least one particular symbology from being made available for further processing by at least one application executing on the mobile device, or iii) a function which restricts the decoded data or the scrambled decoded data from a barcode of at least one particular symbology from being displayed on a display screen of the mobile device 18.

Alternatively or additionally, the enhanced decoder function may enable at least one enhanced image processing function which improves an ability to decode an image of a barcode and is not operable when the barcode-reading application 24 operates in the base mode of operation. The enhanced decoder mode is enabled by obtaining a license code from a licensing server 21 a, 21 b.

The barcode-reading application 24 may be configured to subject the license code to a predetermined algorithm to determine at least one operating permission authorized by the license code. The enhanced decoder function may correspond to the at least one operating permission authorized by the license code.

The barcode-reading application 24 may be configured to obtain the license code from the licensing server 21 a, 21 b by communicating to the licensing server one of: i) a unique identification code of the mobile device 18, or ii) a user identification code identifying a controller of the mobile device 18.

An attachment for a mobile device 18 may cover a relatively small portion of the mobile device. Alternatively, an attachment for a mobile device may be a protective case that covers a substantial portion of the mobile device. Attachments may be designed for attachment to mobile devices in a wide variety of ways, including but not limited to a corner-positioned attachment, an encapsulating attachment, and a mounting attachment. These attachment modes will be explained in detail below.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict examples of a corner-positioned attachment that covers a relatively small portion of the mobile device 18. A corner-positioned attachment may cover one or more (but not all) corners of a mobile device.

The corner-positioned attachment 100 a shown in FIG. 4A secures to, and covers, a single corner of a mobile device 18. More specifically, the corner-positioned attachment 100 a may have an interior back surface 102, an interior front surface 104, an interior top surface 106, and an interior side surface 108. When installed on the corner of the mobile device 18: i) the interior back surface 102 faces, and abuts, the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18; ii) the interior front surface 104 faces, and abuts, the face surface 72 of the mobile device 18; iii) the interior top surface 106 faces, and abuts, the top edge 78 of the mobile device 18; and iv) the interior side surface 108 faces, and abuts, the right edge 80 of the mobile device 18. The distance between the interior back surface 102 and the interior front surface 104 may be sufficiently large to permit the corner-positioned attachment 100 a to be inserted onto the corner of the mobile device 18 without excessive difficulty, but also small enough that, once installed, the corner-positioned attachment 100 a will not slide free of the mobile device 18 due to friction fit between: i) the interior back surface 102 and the back surface 74; and ii) the interior front surface 104 and the face surface 72. Because the corner-positioned attachment 100 a covers a single corner of the mobile device 18, the attachment 100 a may be installed on the mobile device 18 by sliding the attachment 100 a along the top edge 78 (e.g. the interior top surface 106 in contact with the top edge 78) until the interior side surface 108 abuts the right edge 80 of the mobile device. FIG. 4A shows, as an example, a corner-positioned attachment covering the right top corner of the mobile device 18. However, the corner-positioned attachment may cover the left top corner or any other corner of the mobile device 18.

The corner-positioned attachment 100 b secures to, and covers, two top corners of the mobile device 18 as well as the entire top edge 78. More specifically, the corner-positioned attachment 100 b may have an interior back surface 102, an interior front surface 104, an interior top surface 106, and two interior side surfaces 108 a and 108 b. When installed on the corner of the mobile device 18: i) the interior back surface 102 faces, and abuts, the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18; ii) the interior front surface 104 faces, and abuts, the face surface 72 of the mobile device 18; iii) the interior top surface 106 faces, and abuts, the top edge 78 of the mobile device 18; and iv) the interior side surfaces 108 a and 108 b face, and abut, the right edge 80 and the left edge 82 of the mobile device 18, respectively.

The distance between the interior back surface 102 and the interior front surface 104 may be sufficiently large to permit the corner-positioned attachment 100 a to be inserted onto the corner of the mobile device 18 without excessive difficulty, but also small enough that, once installed, the corner-positioned attachment 100 b will not slide free of the mobile device 18 due to friction fit between: i) the interior back surface 102 and the back surface 74, and ii) the interior front surface 104 and the face surface 72.

Additionally, or alternatively, the distance between the interior side surface 108 a and the interior side surface 108 b may be sufficiently large to permit the corner-positioned attachment 100 b to be inserted onto the corner of the mobile device 18 without excessive difficulty, but also small enough that, once installed, the corner-positioned attachment 100 b will not slide free of the mobile device 18 due to friction fit between: i) the interior side surface 108 a and the right edge 80, and ii) the interior side surface 108 b and the left edge 82.

Because the corner-positioned attachment 100 b covers two corners of the mobile device 18, the attachment 100 b may be installed on the mobile device 18 by sliding the attachment 100 b along each of the left edge 82 and the right edge 80 (e.g. the interior side surface 108 a in contact with the right edge 80, the interior side surface 108 b in contact with the left edge 82, the interior back surface 102 in contact with the back surface 74, and the interior front surface 104 in contact with the face surface 72) until the interior top surface 106 abuts the top edge 78 of the mobile device 18.

With respect to either attachment 100 a or 100 b (or any type of corner-positioned attachment), as an alternative to frictional engagement between the attachment 100 a, 100 b and the mobile device 18, the attachment 100 a, 100 b may be secured to the mobile device 18 through the use of various other attachment methods. Such attachment methods include, but are not limited to, mechanical fasteners, adhesives, and the like.

Encapsulating attachments may cover substantially the entirety of the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18 and may further cover substantially the entirety of one or more of the edges 76, 78, 80, and 82 of the mobile device 18. An encapsulating attachment i) may cover a perimeter edge of the face surface 72 (but does not cover the central portion of the face surface 72) or ii) may cover substantially the entire face surface 72 but include a transparent central portion, in each case to enable viewing of, and access to, the display screen 66 and touch panel of the mobile device 18. An encapsulating attachment may further exclude covering interface elements of the mobile device 18, such as buttons, electrical interfaces, infrared interfaces, and the like.

FIG. 5A depicts an exemplary encapsulating attachment 110 a which covers substantially the entire back surface 74 and each of the right edge 80 and the left edge 82 of the mobile device 18 while covering portions of the top edge 78 and the bottom edge 76 near the right edge 80 and left edge 82 (e.g. the corners of the mobile device 18).

In more detail, the encapsulating attachment 110 a may include: i) an interior back surface 112 which faces, and abuts, the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18; ii) interior side surfaces 114 a and 114 b which face, and abut, the right edge 80 and the left edge 82 of the mobile device 18, respectively; iii) an interior top surface 118 which faces, and abuts, the top edge 78 of the mobile device 18 (at the corners); and iv) an interior bottom surface 120 which faces, and abuts, the bottom edge 76 of the mobile device 18 (at the corners). The encapsulating attachment 110 a may also include an interior side surface 116 which faces, and abuts, at least a portion of the periphery of the face surface 72 of the mobile device 18.

For installation of the encapsulating attachment 110 a onto the mobile device 18, the walls of the encapsulating attachment 110 a forming the interior side surfaces 114 a and 114 b may be sufficiently flexible such that, with pressure, the walls separate as the mobile device 18 is pressed towards the interior back surface 112, and the portions of the walls which form the interior side surface 116 pass along the right edge 80 and the left edge 82 of the mobile device 18, and come to rest abutting the periphery of the face surface 72 when the back surface 74 is in contact with the interior back surface 112.

The encapsulating attachment 110 a, or more specifically a back side forming the interior back surface 112, may further include a camera aperture through which the camera assembly (not shown) of the mobile device 18 has the camera field of view 38 to the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18.

FIG. 5B depicts another example of an encapsulating attachment 100 b. The encapsulating attachment 100 b comprises a top corner-positioned attachment 101 a (similar to 100 b) which covers the top two corners of the mobile device 18 and a bottom corner-positioned attachment 101 b which covers the bottom two corners of mobile device 18. The two corner-positioned attachments 101 a and 101 b, when installed, mate to encapsulate the mobile device 18. It should be appreciated that the interior front surface of each of the attachments 110 b (e.g. each of the mating top and bottom corner-positioned attachments) covers a small portion of the periphery of the face surface 72 of the mobile device 18 such that an operator may access the display screen 66 and the touch panel when the mobile device 18 is encapsulated within the attachment 110 b.

It should be appreciated that the encapsulating attachments 110 a and 110 b shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B are examples of encapsulating attachments, and the encapsulating attachments may be in any form or type.

Mounted attachments generally are attachments that are secured to one face and/or one edge of a mobile device 18. Mounted attachments may not cover any corner of the mobile device, and may not encapsulate the mobile device 18.

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict exemplary mounted attachments 122 a, 122 b which are secured to the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18. In FIG. 6A, the mounted attachment 122 a may be a barrel shape and include a cylindrical male engagement surface 124 which inserts into a cylindrical recess 126 within the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18 and engages a periphery engagement surface 128 of the cylindrical recess 126 for mounting. The engagement between the engagement surface 124 and the engagement surface 128 may be, for example, by threading, bayonet fitting, or any other mounting structure which may utilize rotational movement between the mounted attachment 122 a and the mobile device 18 for securing the mounted attachment 122 a to, and releasing the mounted attachment 122 a from, the mobile device 18.

In FIG. 6B the mounted attachment 122 b may be a non-cylindrical shape and may be secured into a recess 130 within the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18. The recess 130 may be of the same shape as the mounted attachment 122 b and may include an engagement lip or cavity 132 around at least a portion of the periphery of the recess 130 such that engagement clips 134 around the periphery of the mounted attachment 122 b may secure the mounted attachment 122 b within the recess 130.

In addition to the foregoing examples of corner-mounted attachments, encapsulating attachments, and mounted attachments, the barcode-reading enhancement systems and other features embodied in, or related to, attachments as described herein may utilize any (or multiple) attachment structure or means for attaching to the corresponding mobile device including, but not limited to: i) for attachments that cover some portion of the mobile device from two or more sides (e.g. corner-positioned attachments and encapsulating attachments), use of a frictional interface such as a modest interference fit between the interior dimension of the attachment and the exterior dimension of the portion of the mobile device that receives the attachment; ii) for encapsulating attachments, a wide variety of attachment features in known examples of cases, covers, and other protectors for mobile devices; and iii) for attachments that are attached to only one side of the mobile device attachment, features such as threaded fasteners, adhesives, snap-in interfaces, and the like.

The attachments described herein may include target-generating mechanisms as a component of the barcode-reading enhancement system for a mobile device. FIG. 7A depicts a side cutaway view of an example corner- or edge-mounted attachment (shown as attachment 100 a covering a single edge of the mobile device 18 as an example) that includes a target-generating structure 136 (i.e., a target-generating mechanism). The target-generating structure 136 projects a targeting beam 138 into a target area 140 (corresponding to a central portion of a field of view 38 of the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18) and may be utilized to facilitate rapid and optimal positioning of a barcode 142 within the camera field of view 38 of the mobile device 18. The targeting beam 138 is projected at an acute angle 144 with respect to the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18 in a first direction such that the targeting beam 138 intersects the central portion of the camera field of view 38 at a distance from the camera assembly 36 that is useful for barcode reading. The distance useful for barcode reading means that a barcode 142 within the camera field of view 38 would be imaged by the lens assembly 40 with sufficient sharpness (focus) and resolution (size) to enable reading of the barcode 142. This targeting beam 138 is especially useful when the mobile device 18 does not have a display, or the display is dimmed or turned off to conserve battery power.

FIG. 7B shows (as a top view, which may be orthogonal to the side view depicted in FIG. 7A) an example of a target-generating mechanism. The target-generating mechanism may include multiple target-generating structures 136 a and 136 b. The target-generating structures 136 a and 136 b may project non-parallel targeting beams 138 a and 138 b of a distinct illumination pattern, each at an acute angle with respect to the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18 in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and each of which form a point or a pattern within the target area 140. The target-generating structures 136 a and 136 b may be configured so that (1) at a distance useful for barcode reading (i.e. the optimal distance from the camera assembly 36), the targeting beams 138 a and 138 b converge so that the projected patterns and/or points meet at the center of the camera field of view 38, and (2) at any distance from the camera assembly 36 other than the optimal distance, the projected patterns and/or points are spaced apart. Thus, when the mobile device 18 is being used to read a barcode 142, the user may move the mobile device 18 until the projected patterns and/or points meet, indicating that the mobile device 18 is at the optimal distance from the barcode 142 and that the barcode 142 is positioned within the center of the camera field of view 38.

The target-generating mechanism depicted in FIG. 7B may include a light source 146 a, 146 b and permutations of any of a prism 148 a, 148 b; a collimating lens 150 a, 150 b; and a pattern-generating surface 152 a, 152 b such as an interference pattern-generating element; a diffractive pattern-generating element, such as a holographic element that may include one or more diffractive gratings; or a Fresnel-type pattern-generating element that has been fabricated with the desired targeting beam pattern.

The light source 146 a, 146 b may be laser diodes, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), etc. embodied in the attachment or within the mobile device 18. The targeting beams 138 a, 138 b may be generated by shaping the illumination from the white light source of the mobile device by the applicable permutations of the prism 148 a, 148 b, a collimating lens 150 a, 150 b, and a pattern-generating surface 152 a, 152 b.

Although FIGS. 7A and 7B depict the target-generating mechanism embodied in a corner- or edge-mounted attachment 100 a, the target-generating mechanism may be secured to the mobile device 18 by other means including, but not limited to, embodying the target-generating structure 136 into an encapsulating attachment as depicted in FIG. 5A in alignment with a white light source 84 of the mobile device such that the white light source 84 of the mobile device may be used as the light source 146 of the target-generating structure 136.

In this application, a “distinct illumination pattern” is an illumination pattern produced by light that is focused to provide relatively crisp lines or other shapes. Thus, the illumination produced by a laser is an example of light that would typically produce a distinct illumination pattern. By contrast, a “diffuse illumination pattern” is an illumination pattern produced by light that is not focused at any particular location, but rather emanating into a broad area. Thus, the illumination produced by a typical light bulb is an example of light that would typically produce a diffuse illumination pattern.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate various targeting patterns (distinct illumination patterns) that may be projected by the target-generating structures 136 into the target area 140. FIG. 8A shows an example of a targeting pattern 224 that may be projected by the target-generating structure 136. The targeting pattern 224 includes a circle 226 with a dot 228 in the center. One target-generating structure (136 a for example) may generate the circle 226, while the other target-generating structure (136 b for example) may generate the dot 228. The target-generating structures 136 a, 136 b may be configured so that when the mobile device 18 is at an optimal distance from the barcode 142, the dot 228 is substantially in the center of the circle 226 to form the depicted targeting pattern 224.

FIG. 8B shows another example of a targeting pattern 290 that may be projected by the target-generating structures 136. The targeting pattern 290 includes a cross comprising a horizontal bar 292 and a vertical bar 294. One target-generating structure (136 a for example) may generate the horizontal bar 292, while the other target-generating structure (136 b for example) may generate the vertical bar 294. The target-generating structures 136 a, 136 b may be configured so that when the mobile device 18 is at an optimal distance from the barcode 142, the horizontal bar 292 and the vertical bar 294 intersect each other within the target area 140 to form the depicted targeting pattern 290.

FIG. 8C shows another example of a targeting pattern 296 that may be projected by the target-generating structures 136. The targeting pattern 296 includes a circle 298 comprising an X pattern 300 within the circle 298. One target-generating structure (136 a for example) may generate the circle 298, while the other target-generating structure (136 b for example) may generate the X pattern 300. The target-generating structures 136 a, 136 b may be configured so that when the mobile device 18 is at an optimal distance from the barcode 142, the circle 298 and the X pattern 300 may intersect each other to form the depicted targeting pattern 296.

FIG. 8D shows another example of a targeting pattern 302 generated by the target-generating structures 136. The targeting pattern 302 may include an intense illumination in a pattern of one or more quadrilaterals such as a rectangular or square quadrilateral 304 which is/are bounded by a distinct drop in intensity (e.g. a sharp contrast at the edges of the rectangular or square quadrilateral 304). More specifically, the area around the perimeter of the illuminated rectangular or square quadrilateral 304 may be illuminated (if at all) at an intensity much less than the intensity of illumination within the rectangular or square quadrilateral 304.

The illuminated rectangular or square quadrilateral 304 may be, for example, illuminated by LEDs projecting (or appearing) blue or white and in the shape of the rectangular or square quadrilateral 304. The length of the rectangular or square quadrilateral 304 in a first direction (direction 308) may approximately coincide with the width of the field of view of the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 (or the width of the system field of view if the attachment alters the field of view of the camera assembly 36); and the length of the rectangular or square quadrilateral 304 in a second direction (direction 306), orthogonal to the first direction 308, may approximately coincide with the height of the field of view of the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 (or the height of the system field of view if the attachment alters the field of view of the camera assembly 36); and, in each case, may be within a central portion of the field of view of the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 as depicted in FIG. 5A.

Stated another way, the angle at which the illumination diverges from the target-generating structure 136 in the first direction 308 may be approximately the same angle as the field of view of the camera assembly 36 in the first direction 308 (or the same angle as the system field of view if the attachment alters the field of view of the camera assembly 36). Similarly, the angle at which the illumination diverges from the target-generating structure 136 in the second direction 306 may be approximately the same angle as the field of view of the camera assembly 36 in the second direction 306 (or the same angle as the system field of view if the attachment alters the field of view of the camera assembly 36). As such, the targeting pattern 302 not only provides the user with an indication of the field of view of the camera assembly 36 (or the system field of view), in both the first direction 308 and the second direction 306, but the targeting pattern 302 also illuminates substantially all of the field of view in one or both of the first direction and the second direction with an intensity of illumination that does not significantly vary within the targeting pattern 302 but drops significantly at the perimeter of the targeting pattern 302.

As discussed, the target-generating structure 136 may include its own light source 146 a, 146 b (as shown in FIG. 7B) and collimate illumination therefrom to produce the applicable distinct targeting pattern. The illumination source may be of a particular wavelength (e.g. red or blue light) or may be white illumination (broad spectrum) and may include a filter 214 a, 214 b (which will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 9) to pass only the particular wavelength used to generate the distinct targeting pattern by attenuating other wavelengths.

Alternatively, the target-generating structure 136 may collimate and otherwise shape illumination from the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 utilizing a collimating lens and/or a pattern-generating surface in both the first direction and the second direction to project the applicable targeting pattern into the target area 140. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 9, the target-generating structure 136 may include filters (214 a, 214 b) which pass a narrow band of the visible illumination spectrum, such as red illumination or blue illumination, such that the white illumination (broad spectrum) from the mobile device 18 is filtered and the targeting pattern generated by the combination of the white illumination source and the filter is a specific color, such as blue or red.

The attachments described herein may include supplementary exposure illumination systems as a component of the barcode-reading enhancement system for a mobile device. More specifically, the supplementary exposure illumination systems may include one or more elements which project (or alter the projection of) diffuse illumination into the target area 140 in such a manner that illumination reflected from a barcode 142 and imaged onto the photo sensor 42 produces image characteristics that improve the decode-ability of the image. Image characteristics which improve the decode-ability of the image include: i) increased contrast between illumination reflected from bars (e.g., first modules in a 2D code) versus illumination reflected from spaces (e.g., second modules in a 2D code), and ii) even contrast (e.g., no hot spots, dead zones, or other significant contrast difference) of illumination reflected from bars (or first modules) across the entire barcode 142 and similarly even contrast of illumination reflected from spaces (or second modules) across the entire barcode 142.

FIG. 9 depicts an example of a mobile device attachment 110 (shown as a cross section of an encapsulating attachment) that includes illumination elements for optimizing illumination for barcode reading. The mobile device 18 includes a white light source 84. The attachment 110 may include a light pipe 210 that redirects white illumination 212 provided by the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18. More specifically, utilizing total internal reflection, the light pipe 210 propagates the white illumination 212 in a direction parallel to the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18 towards one or more illumination emanating structures 218 a, 218 b which are displaced from the white light source 84 within the plane defined by the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18.

Each illumination emanating structure 218 a, 218 b redirects at least a portion of the white illumination 212 propagating through the light pipe 210 towards a barcode 142 present within the target area 140 as exposure illumination 216 a, 216 b. Each emanating structure 218 a, 218 b may include any permutation of the prism 148 a, 148 b (not shown in FIG. 9 but discussed with respect to FIG. 7B), collimating lens 150 a, 150 b (not shown in FIG. 9 but discussed with respect to FIG. 7B), pattern-generating surface 152 a, 152 b (not shown in FIG. 9 but discussed with respect to FIG. 7B), and one or more filters 214 a, 214 b. The one or more filter(s) 214 a, 214 b may include: i) a narrow band filter (e.g. a single-color filter passing a single color of illumination such as red, blue, or another color); ii) a low pass filter passing all color bands below a predetermined wavelength; and/or iii) a high pass filter passing all color bands above a predetermined wavelength. When the one or more filters 214 a, 214 b are a narrow band filter (e.g. a single color filter), the exposure illumination 216 a, 216 b may be a single color (e.g., red, blue, or another single color). The redirection of illumination by the illumination emanating structures 218 a, 218 b may occur by reflection from a chamfered end of the light pipe 210 positioned directly below the illumination emanating structures 218 a, 218 b.

In some embodiments, the light pipe 210 and the illumination emanating structures 218 a, 218 b may be configured (positioned) such that the exposure illumination 216 a, 216 b is offset from the camera's photo sensor 42 (in the plane defined by the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18) in order to prevent glare. In other words, the exposure illumination 216 a, 216 b may be directed toward the target area 140 from locations that are not directly in front of the camera's photo sensor 42.

FIG. 9 depicts just one example of a supplementary exposure illumination system as a component of the barcode-reading enhancement system for a mobile device. Other supplementary exposure illumination systems may include any of the optic elements (including illumination-generating LEDs) which form a direct bright field illumination system, a diffuse bright field illumination system, and a dark field illumination system as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/510,341, entitled “DIFFUSE BRIGHT FIELD ILLUMINATION SYSTEM FOR A BARCODE READER,” filed on Oct. 9, 2014, and commonly assigned with the present application. The content of the Ser. No. 14/510,341 application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. It should further be appreciated that the supplementary exposure illumination systems utilizing the optic elements of the direct bright field illumination system, the diffuse bright field illumination system, and the dark field illumination system from the Ser. No. 14/510,341 application may further utilize the corresponding illumination sources in conjunction with such optics.

The attachments described herein may include a supplementary optic system as a component of the barcode-reading enhancement system for a mobile device. An “optic system” may be any set of one or more components positioned in the field of view 38 of a camera assembly 36 to modify one or more parameters regarding the light received by the camera, such as the quantity of the light received, the optical pathway along which the light is received, the angular size of the field of view, the depth of field, the focus distance, the f-number, and/or the wavelength(s) of the light received. Thus, an optic system, in various components, may include any of various components such as lenses, filters, mirrors, apertures, and the like. Stated another way, the one or more optical elements within the field of view 38 of the camera assembly 36, in combination with the lens assembly 40 of the camera, define a barcode-reading optic system (the combination) which provides superior barcode-reading capabilities over the lens assembly 40 alone.

FIGS. 10A and 10B depict examples of a mobile device attachment 110 (shown as a mounted attachment) that includes a supplementary lens system that includes permutations of: i) one or more lens(es) 200; ii) optical filter(s) 204; and iii) an aperture 202.

The aperture 202 limits the amount of light that reaches the camera's photo sensor 42 through the camera's lens assembly 40. More specifically, the aperture 202 may be an aperture within an opaque barrier material which defines the aperture (f-number) of the supplementary lens system and, when part of the barcode-reading optic system, may define the optical aperture (f-number) of the barcode-reading optical system.

The aperture of the barcode-reading optical system, as defined by the aperture 202, may provide for an increased depth of field (e.g. a system depth of field) over the depth of field provided by the lens assembly 40. With increased depth of field, an image on the photo sensor 42 sufficiently sharp (focused) for barcode reading may be achieved without the need for autofocusing and therefore the decode response time may be improved because the barcode-reading process does not require a time-consuming autofocusing step.

The one or more lens(es) 200 may alter the field of view 38 of the camera assembly 36 and/or magnification of the camera assembly 36 (e.g. provide a system field of view 207 that is different from the field of view 38 of the camera assembly 36).

The one or more filter(s) 204 may include: i) a narrow band filter (e.g. a single-color filter passing a single color of illumination such as red, blue, or another color); ii) a low pass filter passing all color bands below a predetermined wavelength; and/or iii) a high pass filter passing all color bands above a predetermined wavelength.

For example, it may be desirable to capture predominantly light of a relatively narrow segment of the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as red light with a wavelength of approximately 660 nm. The filter 204 may thus have a colored tint and/or polarization with a narrow wavelength band desired for image capture for effective barcode decoding.

As mentioned previously, the parameters of the camera assembly 36, such as the angular size of the camera field of view 38, the range of focus depths, and the depth of field of the camera assembly 36 may not be ideal for barcode capture and/or decoding. Thus, any or all of these parameters may be modified by the optic system of the attachment. Thus, the system field of view 207 may have an angular size that is significantly smaller than the angular size of the camera field of view 38. This may be because conventional photography often uses a wider lens angle than is needed for capturing barcode images.

The system field of view 207 may provide a system ratio of focal length to entrance pupil diameter that is greater than a camera ratio of focal length to entrance pupil diameter of the unmodified optic system of the camera assembly 36 such that the optic system of the attachment acts to increase the f-stop of the camera lens assembly 40.

Further, the mobile device 18 and the optic system of the attachment 100, combined, may have a depth of field (not shown), consisting of the depth along the system optical pathway 205 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 13) through which an object may remain in focus (to a degree acceptable for barcode capture and/or decoding) on either side of the system focus depth. A relatively large depth of field may advantageously permit barcode capture and/or decoding at a wider range of distances between the mobile device 18 and the barcode to be captured. Thus, the attachment lens may advantageously provide a relatively larger depth of field, particularly at shorter focus depths, than the camera assembly 36, unaided.

The system field of view 207 may be centered on a system optical pathway, which may be the same as the optical pathway 205 for the camera assembly 36 without the attachment. More specifically, the camera assembly 36 may be designed to capture images centered on an optical pathway 205 perpendicular to the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18. In certain embodiments this optical pathway is not modified by the attachment; thus, the system optical pathway 205 may be the same as the optical pathway for the camera assembly 36. In other embodiments, an attachment may provide a different optical pathway for barcode scanning, as will be shown and described with respect to FIGS. 10C and 10D.

FIG. 10C depicts an example of a mobile device attachment 110 (shown as a mounted attachment) that includes a mirror 220 that changes the optical path of illumination (i.e. reflected light) 222 reflected from the barcode to the mobile device 18 from a direction that is generally parallel to the face surface 72 and the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18 to a direction that is generally orthogonal to the lens assembly 40 and the photo sensor 42 of the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18.

The attachment 110 permits a user of the mobile device 18 to attempt to read a barcode 142 positioned within a field of view that is beyond the top edge 78 of the mobile device by aiming the top side (the top edge 78) of the mobile device 18 at the barcode 142. The reflected light 222 reflected from the barcode 142 is redirected by the mirror 220 toward the mobile device's focusing lens assembly 40, which focuses the reflected light 222 onto the photo sensor 42.

Stated another way, the field of view 38 of the camera assembly 36 would have a center line that is generally orthogonal to the planar back surface 74 of the mobile device 18 (and orthogonal to the planar display on the face surface 72 of the mobile device 18) and that extends towards a target area 140 from the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18. The mirror 220 is within such a field of view and folds the field of view such that its center line is parallel to the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18 (and the display on the face surface 72 of the mobile device 18) and extends towards a target area 140 from the top side of the mobile device 18.

In the depicted example, the mirror 220 is positioned so that the reflected light 222 is redirected by 90°. Alternatively, the mirror 220 may be positioned so that the reflected light 222 is redirected by a different angle. For example, FIG. 10D depicts a mirror 220 positioned so that the reflected light is redirected by an angle 221 between 30 and 60 degrees from perpendicular to the back surface 74.

It should be appreciated that, although not depicted in either FIG. 10C or 10D, the attachment 110, in addition to including the mirror 220 to redirect the reflected light 222, may further include any permutation of optic components discussed with respect to FIGS. 10A and 10B for purposes of altering one or more of the depth of field, the f-number, the angle of the field of view, or the focal plane of the lens assembly 40 of the camera assembly 36. Such optic components may be located within the region 224 a of the attachment 110 or the region 224 b of the attachment 110.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 13, 14, and 15 depict additional examples of attachments which may be, or form, a part of the barcode-reading enhancement system for a mobile device. Although each attachment depicted in FIGS. 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 13, 14, and 15 is depicted in one of the general structures described with respect to FIG. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, or 6B, the arrangement of target-generating mechanisms, supplementary illumination systems, and supplementary optic systems described above with respect to FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A-8D, 9, and 10A-10D may be utilized in any of the general structures.

FIG. 11A depicts an attachment 20 (shown in partial view) with a target-generating structure 136 which projects a targeting beam 138 from the top edge 78 of the mobile device 18 to the top side of the mobile device 18 to form a targeting pattern 160 within a target area 140 whereas the attachments depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B include a target-generating structure 136 which projects a targeting beam 138 from the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18 and generates the targeting pattern 160 within a target area 140.

The attachment 20 may further include a structure 230 (with a mirror 220) as depicted in, and described with respect to, FIG. 10C or 10D for redirecting illumination reflected from a barcode in the target area extending from the top edge 78 of the mobile device 18 towards the lens assembly 40 of the camera assembly 36 on the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18. More specifically, the mirror 220 may be a first mirror within a first chamber 232 within the field of view 38 of the camera assembly 36 (not shown) on the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18. The first mirror 220 may be positioned at approximately a 45-degree angle to the center line of the field of view 38 of the camera assembly 36 to fold the field of view of the camera by approximately 90 degrees such that the field of view 38 of the camera assembly 36 extends towards the target area 140 extending from the top edge 78 (the top side) of the mobile device 18 instead of from the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18 as described with respect to FIG. 10A. Alternatively, the first mirror 220 may be positioned at an angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees from the plane of the back surface 74 of the mobile device.

Further as described with respect to FIGS. 10A and 10B (and although not depicted in FIG. 11A), any permutation of the optics described with respect to FIGS. 10A and 10B may be positioned within the first chamber 232 for purposes of altering one or more of the depth of field, the f-number, the angle of the field of view, or the focal plane of the lens assembly 40 of the camera assembly 36.

The target-generating mechanism may include a second mirror 234, within a second chamber 236, generally parallel to the first mirror 220, but aligned with the white light source 84 on the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18, and may fold the illumination from the white light source 84 (by the same angle at which the first mirror 220 folds the field of view of the camera assembly 36) towards the target area 140 extending from the top edge 78 of the mobile device 18. The first chamber 232 may be separated from the second chamber 236 by an opaque wall or baffle to prevent illumination within the second chamber being incident on the first mirror 220 and reflected by the first mirror 220 onto the lens assembly 40 of the camera assembly 36 and thereby degrading the image quality of an image of a barcode 142 within the target area 140.

The target-generating mechanism may further include any of the target-generating structures 136 described with respect to FIGS. 7A and 7B for forming and projecting the targeting beams 138 of a distinct illumination pattern into the target area 140. In FIG. 11A, the target-generating structure 136 is depicted as two collimating lens structures arranged horizontally (within a line generally parallel to the lines formed by the interface of the top edge 78 with each of the face surface 72 and the back surface 74 of the mobile device). Each of the collimating lens structures may project a targeting pattern 160 into the target area 140 which is similar to the targeting pattern 400 depicted in FIG. 7D. Again, the targeting pattern 400 may be projected into the center of the field of view and the angular size of the targeting pattern with respect to distance from the mobile device 18 may be the same as the angle of the field of view and therefore may serve as both the distinct illumination pattern indicating the field of view and the diffuse illumination (within the field of view) for exposure illumination.

FIG. 11B depicts an attachment (depicted as a corner- or edge-mounted attachment 100) which is similar in structure to the encapsulating attachment 110 of FIG. 11A but with target-generating structures 136 arranged vertically (within a line generally perpendicular to the lines formed by the interface of the top edge 78 with each of the face surface 72 and the back surface 74 of the mobile device). The attachment 100 of FIG. 11B may further include an exposure illumination structure 238 which may utilize any of the elements described with respect to FIG. 9 or any of the supplementary exposure illumination systems which form the direct bright field illumination system, the diffuse bright field illumination system, and/or the dark field illumination system as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/510,341.

As stated with respect to FIG. 11A, the target-generating structure 136 may utilize the second mirror 234 to redirect illumination generated by the white light source 84 into the target-generating structure 136 to form targeting beams 138 or may utilize illumination sources within the attachment 110. With respect to the embodiment of FIG. 11B, one of the targeting illumination sources or the exposure illumination source may be the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 (reflecting from a mirror) and the other of these may be an illumination source within the attachment.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D represent an attachment 110 (shown as an encapsulating attachment) with a target-generating structure 136 that may be repositioned and used for any embodiment described herein where the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 provides illumination for the target-generating structure 136 (which as discussed with respect to FIG. 7D may also be the exposure illumination system). The repositionable target-generating structure 136 is useful for uses of the mobile device 18 where, in addition to utilizing the white light source 84 and the camera assembly 36 for barcode reading, the white light source 84 and the camera assembly 36 are used for traditional photography.

FIGS. 12A and 12B depict the target-generating structure 136 as being pivotally repositionable between: i) a first position 440 as depicted in FIG. 12A wherein the target-generating structure 136 is positioned in front of the white light source 84 (i.e. an illuminating torch) such that illumination from the white light source 84 is shaped by the target-generating structure 136 into a distinct targeting illumination pattern; and ii) a second position 442 as depicted in FIG. 12B wherein the target-generating structure 136 is positioned outside of the illumination field of the white light source 84 such that the illumination from the white light source 84 is unmodified by the target-generating structure 136 and can be used for illumination when using the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 to take photographic pictures.

As depicted in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the target-generating structure 136 may be secured to the attachment 110 by a flexible band 444 such that the target-generating structure 136 may be pivoted in the direction 446 between position 440 and position 442 by flexure of the flexible band. It is also envisioned that a more traditional hinge/hinge pin structure may also provide for pivoting the target-generating structure 136 between position 440 and position 442 in alternative embodiments.

FIGS. 12C and 12D depict the target-generating structure 136 being laterally repositionable between: i) a first position 448 as depicted in FIG. 12C wherein the target-generating structure 136 is positioned in front of the white light source 84 (i.e. an illuminating torch) such that the illumination from the white light source 84 is shaped by the target-generating structure 136 into a targeting pattern; and ii) a second position 450 as depicted in FIG. 12D wherein the target-generating structure 136 is positioned outside of the illumination field of the white light source 84 such that the illumination from the white light source 84 is unmodified by the target-generating structure 136 and can be used for illumination when using the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 to take photographic pictures. As depicted in FIGS. 12C and 12D, the target-generating structure 136 may be secured to the attachment 110 within a channel 452 such that the target-generating structure 136 may be laterally repositioned in the direction 454 between position 448 and position 450.

FIG. 13 depicts another exemplary attachment (shown as an encapsulating attachment 100) for a mobile device 18. The attachment 100 may have a housing 460 defining an interior cavity 462 of the attachment 100 which is separate from a cavity in which the attachment 100 encapsulates the mobile device 18.

The cavity 462 within the housing 460 may be divided into one or more chambers separated by an opaque barrier in order to restrict light passage from components in one chamber to components in another. For example, the cavity 462 may have a first chamber 264 and a second chamber 266. An opaque barrier 268 may separate the first chamber 264 from the second chamber 266 in a manner that prevents light from either of the first chamber 264 and the second chamber 266 from passing directly into the other chamber.

The first chamber 264 may be larger than the second chamber 266, and may contain components such as a supplementary optic system 271, attachment control circuitry 270, and an attachment battery 272.

The supplementary optic system 271 may be any of the embodiments described with respect to FIGS. 10A and 10B. A window 278 within the housing 460 may be in alignment with the supplementary optic system 271 so that illumination reflected from the target area 140 is able to enter the first chamber 264 via the window 278 to reach the supplementary optic system 271 and, after passing through the supplementary optic system 271, be received and captured by the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18.

In some embodiments, the window 278 may be transparent and function to enclose the first chamber 264. In other embodiments, the window 278 itself may be a component of the supplementary optic system 271 for modifying one or more of the depth of field, the f-number, the angle of the field of view, or the focal plane of the lens assembly 40 of the camera assembly 36.

For example, the window 278 may filter illumination reflected from the target area 140 (e.g. pass and/or attenuate certain wavelengths of illumination). The filter characteristics may include any of the filter characteristics described with respect to the filter 214 a, 214 b of FIG. 9.

The second chamber 266 may include one or more of a targeting illumination system 280 and an exposure illumination system 282. The targeting illumination system 280 may utilize an illumination source 284 and any of the targeting structures 136 described with respect to FIG. 7A or 7B to project a targeting beam (not shown) with a distinct illumination pattern (which may be any of the targeting patterns described with respect to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D) towards the target area 140.

The exposure illuminating system 282 may utilize an exposure illumination source 286 and the exposure illumination structure described with respect to FIG. 9 or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/510,341. The exposure illumination source 286 may include various light sources, including but not limited to lasers, LED's, incandescent lights, fluorescent lights, and the like.

The attachment control circuitry 270 of this embodiment may control each of the targeting illumination systems 280 and the exposure illumination system 282. The targeting illumination system 280 may be configured to project light into the target area 140 prior to and/or after image capture so as to avoid interfering with the decode-ability of the barcode image. Conversely, the exposure illumination system 282 may project illumination into the target area 140 during image capture.

The targeting illumination system 280 and the exposure illumination system 282 may also be connected to an attachment battery 272, either independently of the attachment control circuitry 270, or via the attachment control circuitry 270. Thus, the targeting illumination system 280 and the exposure illumination system 282 may be controlled by the attachment control circuitry 270 and powered by the attachment battery 272.

The attachment control circuitry 270 may further include, or be electrically connected to, an attachment communications interface, which may be coupled to the mobile device power/data connector 64 via a link 276 a and/or the speaker/microphone connector 34 via a link 276 b.

The housing 460 may further contain a user control 288, which may be actuated by the user to perform various functions, such as initiating the capture of a barcode. The user control 288 may include any form of user input known in the art, including but not limited to switches, levers, knobs, touch screens, microphones coupled to voice-operation software, and the like. The user control 288 may advantageously take the form of a trigger that can be actuated, for example, with the index finger of the user. In alternative embodiments, the housing 460 may be modified to have a pistol grip or other grip that enhances the ergonomics of the housing 460 and/or facilitates actuation of the user control similar to the housing depicted in FIG. 14.

FIG. 14 depicts another exemplary attachment (shown as an encapsulating attachment 100 as an example) for a mobile device 18. The attachment 100 may have a handle 158 which extends downward away from the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18 and is sized and shaped to be gripped by an operator with the operator's thumb and forefinger being positioned at a shoulder 159 where the handle 158 meets a portion of the attachment 100 which is adjacent to the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18. When held in this manner the face surface 72 of the mobile device is visible to an operator looking downward.

A trigger switch 157 is positioned at the shoulder 159 and is intended to enable the operator to trigger reading of a barcode utilizing the same ergonomics of a typical “gun” type of barcode reader. The trigger switch 157 activates a trigger circuit 161.

The attachment 100 includes a microphone connector 155 (shown as a speaker/microphone male connector coupled within the speaker/microphone connector 34 of the mobile device 18).

The trigger circuit 161 includes an oscillator circuit configured to create a potential difference between the ground contact and the microphone contact of the speaker/microphone connector 155 that is detectable by the mobile device 18. The potential difference may be generated by physical movement of a magnet with respect to a coil with such physical movement being generated by pulling the trigger switch 157. A combination of springs and spring-activated switches may accentuate the movement of the magnet with respect to the coil and/or break the circuit to ensure that activation of the trigger switch 157 is detectable by the mobile device 18.

The attachment 100 may also include a structure described with respect to FIG. 10C or 10D for purposes of folding the optical path for illumination reflected from the target area 140 so that the field of view of the camera assembly 36 (e.g. the system field of view) is folded from the back surface 74 of the mobile device towards the target area 140 positioned at the top side of the mobile device 18. The attachment 100 also includes a battery 163 for supplying power to the components in the attachment 100.

FIG. 15 illustrates a mobile device 18 with an attachment 20 which may include supplementary optic system 271 for image capture and a target-generating structure 136 which utilizes the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 to generate an intense targeting illumination pattern into the target area.

More particularly, the target-generating structure 136 may comprise a collimating lens 150 which is positioned within, and modifies, the field of illumination 151 of the white light source 84 into the shape of an intense targeting illumination pattern, which may be a pattern depicted in any of FIG. 8A, 8B, 8C or 8D. The target-generating structure 136 may include a filter 214 which may be a band pass filter or a low pass filter as described with respect to FIG. 19C for passing a certain color of illumination while attenuating wavelengths other than the certain color.

In a case where the intense targeting illumination pattern is as depicted in FIG. 8D with diffuse illumination across the field of view, the system illumination field 156 (e.g., illumination as modified by the target-generating structure 136) may substantially overlap with the system field of view 207. Thus, with the aid of the target-generating structure 136 the system field of view 207 may be effectively illuminated with diffuse illumination and the borders of the diffuse illumination (as depicted in FIG. 8D) may enable the user to properly position the mobile device 18 with respect to a barcode in the target area 140.

In the event the targeting pattern does not provide diffuse illumination across the system field of view 207, the supplementary optic system 271 may include a high pass filter described with respect to FIG. 19C such that the illumination of the targeting pattern (as filtered) is attenuated by the high pass filter and does not affect the intensity of the illumination incident on the photo sensor 42.

FIG. 23 is an exploded view of an exemplary barcode-reading enhancement accessory 2300 configured as an encapsulating attachment. The barcode-reading enhancement accessory 2300 may comprise an outer case 2312 and one or more inner carriages 2314 a, 2314 b. FIG. 23 depicts two inner carriages 2314 a, 2314 b as an example. However, the accessory 2300 may include just one inner carriage or more than two inner carriages. The accessory 2300 may further include an impact-absorbing cover 2336 positioned over, or molded over, at least a portion of the outer case 2312 to protect a mobile device 18 encased therein.

The outer case 2312 may comprise a cavity 2317 into which each one of the inner carriages 2314 a, 2314 b may be inserted. One inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b may be accommodated in the outer case 2312 at one time. The cavity 2317 may be defined by the interior surfaces of the outer case 2312. More specifically, the cavity 2317 may be defined by a back side interior surface 2320, a face interior surface 2322 which is generally parallel to the back side interior surface 2320, a top edge interior surface 2340, a bottom edge interior surface (not shown in FIG. 23), which is opposite, and parallel, to the top edge interior surface 2340, a left edge interior surface 2326, and a right edge interior surface 2324, which is opposite, and parallel, to the left edge interior surface 2326. Each of the top edge interior surface 2340, the bottom edge interior surface, the left edge interior surface 2326, and the right edge interior surface 2324 may be generally planar and extend between the back side interior surface 2320 and the face interior surface 2322, and define a perimeter of each of the back side interior surface 2320 and the face interior surface 2322. The top edge interior surface 2340 and the bottom edge interior surface may each be orthogonal to each of the left edge interior surface 2326 and the right edge interior surface 2324. The face interior surface 2322 may include an aperture through which a display screen 43 of a mobile device 18 may be viewed and as such the face interior surface 2322 may be a thin band which extends around the periphery defined by the top edge interior surface 2340, the bottom edge interior surface, the left edge interior surface 2326, and the right edge interior surface 2324.

The outer case 2312 may be open to enable the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b to be inserted into, and removed from, the outer case 2312. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the outer case 2312 may comprise two mating parts 2312 a, 2312 b, which can be secured to each other to form the outer case 2312. The two mating parts 2312 a, 2312 b may be secured to each other, for example, by sliding one mating part 2312 b in a mating direction 2338 towards the other mating part 2312 a until the two mating parts 2312 a, 2312 b are secured by a latching (fastening or clamping) mechanism. The latching mechanism may be provided on the side walls or a back side surface of the outer case 2312. Any conventional latching, fastening, or clamping mechanism may be employed to secure the two mating parts 2312 a, 2312 b. Similarly the outer case 2312 may be opened by releasing the latching mechanism and sliding the two mating parts 2312 a, 2312 b apart.

Alternatively, the two mating parts may be connected together by a hinge at one corner of the outer case 2312 and may be secured at the other corner by a latching mechanism, similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, or may be connected by screws or pins, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 32. Alternatively, the outer case 2312 may be a one-piece component and the combination of the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b and the mobile device 18 may be simply pushed into the cavity of the outer case 2312.

Each inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b may include a cavity 2346 to accommodate a mobile device 18 therein. FIG. 23 shows the inner carriage 2314 b with a mobile device 18 accommodated therein. Each inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b may accommodate a particular size or model of a mobile device 18 for which each inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b is designed.

The cavity 2346 of the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b may be defined by the interior surfaces of the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b. For example, the cavity 2346 of the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b may be defined by a back side interior surface 2350, a face interior surface 2352 (if present), which is generally parallel to the back side interior surface 2350, and i) a left edge interior surface 2354 and a right edge interior surface 2356, which is opposite, and parallel, to the left edge interior surface 2354, and/or ii) a top edge interior surface (not depicted in FIG. 23) and a bottom edge interior surface (not depicted in FIG. 23). FIG. 23 shows the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b having a left edge interior surface 2354 and a right edge interior surface 2356. However, it should be noted that the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b may have all four edge interior surfaces or may only have a top edge interior surface and a bottom edge interior surface.

Each of the top edge interior surface (if present), the bottom edge interior surface (if present), the left edge interior surface 2354 (if present), and the right edge interior surface 2356 (if present) may be generally planar and extend between the back side interior surface 2350 (and the face interior surface 2352 if present), and define a perimeter of each of the back side interior surface 2350 and the face interior surface 2352. The top edge interior surface (if present) and the bottom edge interior surface (if present) may each be orthogonal to each of the left edge interior surface 2354 and the right edge interior surface 2356. The face interior surface 2352 (if present) may include an aperture (or otherwise be open) through which a display screen 43 of a mobile device 18 may be viewed and as such the face interior surface may be a thin band which extends around along each of the left edge interior surface 2354 and right edge interior surface 2356.

At least a portion of the interior surface of the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b conforms to at least a portion of an exterior surface 2348 of a mobile device 18 for which the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b is designed. Each inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b may have dimensions of its interior surface different from other inner carriages 2314 a, 2314 b. Each inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b has its interior dimensions sized to fit the exterior dimensions of a mobile device 18 of a different size or model such that a mobile device 18 of a different size or model may be accommodated in the outer case 2312 using a corresponding inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b designed for the mobile device 18.

At least a portion of the exterior surface 2344 of the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b conforms to at least a portion of one or more of the interior surfaces of the outer case 2312. The inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b, when inserted into the cavity 2317, may be secured in position without room for movement in at least one of the directions: i) between the top edge interior surface 2340 and the bottom edge interior surface; ii) between the left edge interior surface 2326 and the right edge interior surface 2324; and iii) between the back side interior surface 2320 and the face interior surface 2322. In directions where the fit between portions of the exterior surface 2344 of the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b and the interior surfaces of the outer case 2312 may not fully secure the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b from movement, when a mobile device 18 is inserted into the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b and the combination is inserted into the cavity 2317, the combined exterior dimensions of the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b and the mobile device 18 may secure the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b from movement in at least one of the directions: i) between the top edge interior surface 2340 and the bottom edge interior surface; ii) between the left edge interior surface 2326 and the right edge interior surface 2324; and iii) between the back side interior surface 2320 and the face interior surface 2322.

The mobile device 18 is accommodated within the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b and the combination of the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b and the mobile device 18 is inserted into the cavity 2317 of the outer case 2312. The combined exterior dimensions of the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b and the mobile device 18 may fit the interior dimension of the cavity 2317 so that the combination of the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b and the mobile device 18 is secured from movement in all of directions: i) between the top edge interior surface 2340 and the bottom edge interior surface; ii) between the left edge interior surface 2326 and the right edge interior surface 2324; and iii) between the back side interior surface 2320 and the face interior surface 2322. When so secured, the position at which the mobile device 18 is positioned with respect to the outer case 2312 is referenced to as the “operating position.”

The accessory 2300 also includes an optic system 2370. The optic system 2370 is secured to the outer case 2312 and is configured to fold an optical path (extending to the back side of the mobile device 18 to a direction extending into the area beyond the top edge of the mobile device 18) of at least one of a field of illumination of a light source of the mobile device 18 or a field of view of a camera of the mobile device 18 when the mobile device 18 is accommodated in the outer case 2312 using the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b.

When the mobile device 18 is in the operating position, the optic system 2370 of the accessory 2300 may be within at least one of the field of illumination of the white light source of the mobile device 18 and/or the field of view of the camera of the mobile device 18. The dimensions of the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b are selected so that the mobile device 18 is positioned within the cavity 2317 of the outer case 2312 so that the optic system 2370 is within at least one of the field of illumination of the white light source of the mobile device 18 and/or the field of view of the camera of the mobile device 18.

The optic system 2370 may include, or be configured similarly to, any of the other optic systems, or components, thereof, including those described with respect to FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 13, 14, and 15.

The outer case 2312 may include a connector 2330 on the interior surface (e.g., on the bottom interior surface of the outer case 2312) for connection to the mating connector 2332 of the mobile device 18 when the mobile device is secured in the outer case 2312. The outer case 2312 may include a trigger switch (not shown) for an operator to trigger capturing of a barcode with the mobile device 18. A trigger circuit included in the outer case 2312 may send a trigger signal to the mobile device via the connector 2330 as described herein.

When the mobile device 18 is in the operating position, the connector 2330 within the interior of the outer case 2312 is aligned both vertically and horizontally with the mating connector 2332 on the mobile device 18. The dimensions and shape of the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b are selected so that when the combination of the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b and the mobile device 18 is secured in the outer case 2312, the connector 2330 in the outer case 2312 is aligned both vertically and horizontally with the mating connector 2332 on the mobile device 18. FIGS. 24A and 24B are sectional views of exemplary inner carriages 2314 a, 2314 b with a mobile device 18 inserted therein. The dimensions including the thickness 2334 a, 2334 b of the back panel 2336 a, 2336 b of each inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b and the shape of the internal surfaces of each inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b are selected for a particular model or size of a mobile device 18 a, 18 b, respectively, so that when the combination of the mobile device 18 a, 18 b and the corresponding inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b is inserted into the outer case 2312, the connector 2330 in the outer case 2312 and the mating connector 2332 on the mobile device 18 are aligned.

Each inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b may include one or more apertures 2360 a, 2360 b within one or more of its walls to expose control buttons or switches on the mobile device 18 when the mobile device 18 is inserted into the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b. Each inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b is designed for a mobile device 18 of a particular model or size so that each aperture 2360 a, 2360 b is positioned for the control buttons or switches on the mobile device 18 of a particular model or size for which the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b is designed. Alternatively, instead of the aperture(s) 2360 a, 2360 b, a flexible button or switch may be formed in the corresponding position in the wall(s) of the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b so that the control buttons or switches on the mobile device 18 may be operated through the flexible button or switch formed in the wall(s) of the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b.

The outer case 2312 may include one or more apertures 2362 in one or more of its walls in a location(s) corresponding to the aperture 2360 a, 2360 b in the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b. The aperture(s) 2362 may include a superset of the apertures 2360 a, 2360 b of some or all of inner carriages 2314 a, 2314 b that the outer case 2312 may accommodate. Stated another way, since the outer case 2312 may accommodate a number of different inner carriages 2314 a, 2314 b designed for different mobile devices, an aperture 2362 may be formed within the wall(s) of the outer case 2312 to cover apertures 2360 a, 2360 b of some or all of the inner carriages 2314 a, 2314 b that may be inserted into the outer case 2312. As such, the control buttons or switches of each mobile device 18 may be accessed through the aperture 2360 a, 2360 b in the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b and the aperture 2362 in the outer case 2312. The aperture 2362 in the outer case 2312 may be larger than the aperture 2360 a, 2360 b in the inner carriage 2314 a, 2314 b. Alternatively, instead of aperture(s) 2362, a flexible button(s) or switch(es) may be formed in the wall(s) of the outer case 2312 so that the control buttons or switches on the mobile device may be operated through the flexible buttons or switches.

FIG. 25 shows an exemplary outer case 2512 and exemplary inner carriages 2514 a-2514 c with structural components similar to those described with respect to FIG. 23. The outer case 2512 may comprise two mating parts 2512 a, 2512 b that are combined to form the outer case 2512. For example, one of the mating parts 2512 a, 2512 b may include a tongue(s) 2513 and the other may include a groove (not shown) for connecting the two mating parts 2512 a, 2512 b. Alternatively, any other connecting and locking mechanism may be employed to combine the two mating parts 2512 a, 2512 b.

Each inner carriage 2514 a-2514 c is designed for accommodating a mobile device 18 a-18 c of a different model or size. Each combination of an inner carriage 2514 a-2514 c and a mobile device 18 a-18 c is inserted into the cavity of the outer case 2512. The outer case 2512 includes a connector 2530 for connecting with a mating connector on the mobile device 18 a-18 c.

A handle 2540 may be attached to, or be a part of, the outer case 2512, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14. The handle 2540 may be attachable and detachable. The handle 2540 extends downward away from the back exterior surface of the outer case 2512 and is sized and shaped to be gripped by an operator with the operator's hand. When held by the operator, the face surface of the mobile device 18 a-18 c is visible to the operator looking downward. The handle 2540 may have a trigger switch to enable the operator to initiate reading of a barcode with the mobile device 18 a-18 c. The trigger switch activates a trigger circuit in the handle 2540 which sends a trigger signal to the mobile device 18 via the connector 2530. The handle 2540 may include a battery for supplying power to the components in the handle 2540 and a charging power to the mobile device 18.

An optic system 2570 may be attached to, or be a part of, the outer case 2512. When the mobile device 18 is inserted into the outer case 2512, the optic system 2570, similar to the attachment 110 disclosed with respect to FIGS. 10C and 10D, may fold the optical path of the field of illumination of the light source of the mobile device 18 and/or the field of view of the camera of the mobile device 18 such that the field of illumination of the light source or the field of view of the camera is folded from the back side of the mobile device 18 towards the target area positioned at the top side of the mobile device 18.

The optic system 2570 may include, or be configured similarly to, any of the other optic systems, or components, thereof, including those described with respect to FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 13, 14, and 15.

FIG. 26 shows an exemplary barcode-reading enhancement accessory 2600 a, 2600 b, 2600 c configured as an encapsulating attachment in accordance with another embodiment. FIG. 27 shows the barcode-reading enhancement accessory of FIG. 26 with a mobile device encased into the cavity of the case. FIG. 28 shows the combined state of the case and the handle assembly of the barcode-reading enhancement accessory of FIG. 26.

A barcode-reading enhancement accessory 2600 a, 2600 b, 2600 c may comprise a handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c and a case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c. Each case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c is configured for encasing a mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c of a different model or size. The interior and/or exterior dimensions of each case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c is designed differently for accommodating a particular model or size of a mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c. The handle assembly may be generic to all or some of the cases 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c so that the same handle assembly may be used with multiple cases 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c. Alternatively, each handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c may be designed for a particular mobile device and may be used with a corresponding case designed for the particular mobile device.

The case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c may comprise a cavity 2618 a, 2618 b, 2618 c into which a mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c is inserted. The cavity 2618 a, 2618 b, 2618 c may be defined by interior surfaces comprising a back side interior surface 2620 a, 2620 b, 2620 c, a face interior surface 2622 a, 2622 b, 2622 c, which is generally parallel to the back side interior surface 2620 a, 2620 b, 2620 c, a top edge interior surface 2640 a, 2640 b, 2640 c, a left edge interior surface 2626 a, 2626 b, 2626 c, and a right edge interior surface 2624 a, 2624 b, 2624 c, which is opposite, and parallel, to the left edge interior surface 2626 a, 2626 b, 2626 c.

The case (e.g., case 2604 a) may also include a bottom edge interior surface 2641 a, which is opposite, and parallel, to the top edge interior surface 2640 a. The case (e.g., case 2604 b, 2604 c) may not have the bottom edge interior surface. In this case, a docking surface 2668 b, 2668 c of the handle assembly 2601 b, 2601 c closes the cavity 2618 b, 2618 c.

Each of the top edge interior surface 2640 a, 2640 b, 2640 c, the bottom edge interior surface 2641 a (or the docking surface 2668 a, 2668 b, 2668 c), the left edge interior surface 2626 a, 2626 b, 2626 c, and the right edge interior surface 2624 a, 2624 b, 2624 c may be generally planar and extend between the back side interior surface 2620 a, 2620 b, 2620 c and the face interior surface 2622 a, 2622 b, 2622 c, and define a perimeter (perimeter edges) of each of the back side interior surface 2620 a, 2620 b, 2620 c and the face interior surface 2622 a, 2622 b, 2622 c. The top edge interior surface 2640 a, 2640 b, 2640 c and the bottom edge interior surface 2641 a (or the docking surface 2668 a, 2668 b, 2668 c) may each be orthogonal to each of the left edge interior surface 2626 a, 2626 b, 2626 c and the right edge interior surface 2624 a, 2624 b, 2624 c.

The back side interior surface 2620 a, 2620 b, 2620 c and the bottom edge interior surface 2641 a may each include apertures 2662 a, 2662 b, 2662 c and 2664 a, respectively. The lack of the bottom edge interior surface in cases 2604 b and 2604 c forms apertures 2664 b and 2664 c.

The handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c may include a handle 2602 a, 2602 b, 2602 c and a platform 2603 a, 2603 b, 2603 c. The platform 2603 a, 2603 b, 2603 c includes a platform surface 2666 a, 2666 b, 2666 c and a docking surface 2668 a, 2668 b, 2668 c. When the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c is coupled to the handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c, the platform surface 2666 a, 2666 b, 2666 c may: i) be flush (alternatively may not be flush) with the back side interior surface 2620 a, 2620 b, and 2620 c, and ii) fill (or substantially fill) the aperture 2662 a, 2662 b, 2662 c. Similarly the docking surface 2668 a, 2668 b, 2668 c may: i) be flush (alternatively may not be flush) with the bottom edge interior surface 2641 a, and fill (or substantially fill) the aperture 2664 a, 2664 b, 2664 c thereby completing the partial bottom edge interior surface 2641 a of the case 2604 a or becoming the entire bottom edge interior surface of the case 2604 b, 2604 c.

As shown in FIG. 28, the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c (with the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c encased in it) is coupled to the handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c before using as a barcode reading device. For coupling the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c to the handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c, a coupling structure may be provided in the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c and the handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c. For example, a tongue (or a groove) may be formed along the left and right edges of the platform surface 2666 a, 2666 b, 2666 c and a groove (or a tongue) may be formed along the left and right edges of the aperture 2662 a, 2662 b, 2662 c of the back side interior surface of the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c so that the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c may be coupled to the handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c by sliding the tongue along the groove. Alternatively or additionally, a ridge and a rail may be formed along the left and right edges of the platform surface 2666 a, 2666 b, 2666 c and the left and right edges of the aperture 2662 a, 2662 b, 2662 c. The ridge/rail combination may provide additional strength for securing the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c to the handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c and provide greater strength against torsional forces in the direction 2692 shown in FIG. 29 than if the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c is simply mounted to the handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c by a mechanical structure on its bottom edge.

The face interior surface 2622 a, 2622 b, 2622 c may also include an aperture through which a display screen 43 of a mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c (as shown in FIG. 27) may be viewed and as such the face interior surface 2622 a, 2622 b, 2622 c may be a thin band which extends around the periphery defined by the top edge interior surface 2640 a, 2640 b, 2640 c, the bottom edge interior surface 2641 a (or the docking surface 2668 a, 2668 b, 2668 c), the left edge interior surface 2626 a, 2626 b, 2626 c, and the right edge interior surface 2624 a, 2624 b, 2624 c.

The handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c and the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c are separable as depicted in both FIGS. 26 and 27 to enable the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c to be inserted into, and removed from, the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c. The handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c and the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c may be coupled to each other by sliding the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c towards the docking surface 2668 a, 2668 b, 2668 c of the handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c (while the bottom edge interior surface 2620 a, 2620 b, 2620 c is flush with the platform surface 2666 a, 2666 b, 2666 c) and engaging a latching mechanism (not shown). Any conventional latching, fastening, or clamping mechanism may be used to secure the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c to the handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c.

At least a portion of the interior surfaces (shown in FIG. 26) of the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c (including the docking surface 2668 a, 2668 b, 2668 c of the handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c) conform to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 b for which the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c is configured. Each case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c may have different dimensions of its interior surfaces to fit a mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c of a different model or size. More specifically, each case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c may comprise interior surfaces into which a particular model or size of a mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c will securely fit. For example, case 2604 a may be configured to fit the Apple iPhone 6 Plus®, case 2604 b may be configured to fit the Apple iPhone 6®, and case 2604 c may be configured to fit the Apple iPhone 5/5s®.

When the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c carrying a mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c is coupled to the handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c, the position of the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c with respect to the accessory 2600 a, 2600 b, 2600 c is referred to as the “operating position,” which is depicted in FIG. 28.

The accessory 2600 a, 2600 b, 2600 c may include an optic system 2670 a, 2670 b, 2670 c. The optic system 2670 a, 2670 b, 2670 c is secured to the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c and is configured to fold an optical path of at least one of a field of illumination of a light source of the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c or a field of view of a camera of the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c when the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c is accommodated in the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c.

When the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c is in the operating position, the optic system 2670 a, 2670 b, 2670 c of the accessory 2600 a, 2600 b, 2600 c may be within at least one of the field of illumination of the white light source of the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c and/or the field of view of the camera of the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c. The dimensions of the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c are selected so that the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c is positioned within the cavity 2618 a, 2618 b, 2618 c of the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c so that the optic system 2670 a, 2670 b, 2670 c is within at least one of the field of illumination of the white light source of the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c and/or the field of view of the camera of the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c.

In all embodiments, the operating system 48 or barcode reading application may process and decode an image captured by the camera of the mobile device as such image is modified by the optic system, including optic systems 2370, 2570 and 2670.

A connector 2672 a, 2672 b, 2672 c (e.g., Apple Lightning Connector®) may be provided on the docking surface 2668 a, 2668 b, 2668 c of the handle assembly for connection to the mating connector 2632 a, 2632 b, 2632 c of the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c when the combined mobile device and case is coupled to the handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c. When the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c is in the operating position, the connector 2672 a, 2672 b, 2672 c on the handle assembly is aligned both vertically and horizontally with the mating connector 2632 a, 2632 b, 2632 c on the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c. The dimensions and shape of the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c are selected so that when the combination of the case and the mobile device is coupled to the handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c, the connector 2672 a, 2672 b, 2672 c on the handle assembly is aligned both vertically and horizontally with the mating connector 2632 a, 2632 b, 2632 c on the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c.

Typically the mating connector 2632 a, 2632 b, 2632 c on the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c will be in the center (between the left and right sides when the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c is viewed in a portrait mode) of the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c on its bottom surface. There are certain scenarios where all of the mobile devices 18 a, 18 b, 18 c for which the cases 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c are designed may have the mating connector 2632 a, 2632 b, 2632 c positioned at the same distance from the back side exterior surface of the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c. In these scenarios, that distance can be used for the distance between the platform surface 2666 a, 2666 b, 2666 c and the connector 2672 a, 2672 b, 2672 c of the handle assembly 2601 a, 2601 b, 2601 c and the back side interior surface 2620 a, 2620 b, 2620 c of each case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c may be flush with the platform surface 2666 a, 2666 b, 2666 c.

However, there may be other cases where the distance between the mating connector 2632 a, 2632 b, 2632 c on a mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c and the mobile device's back side exterior surface varies among the mobile devices 18 a, 18 b, 18 c for which cases are designed. In these cases, the back side interior surface 2620 a, 2620 b, 2620 c of the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c may not be flush with the platform surface 2666 a, 2666 b, 2666 c and the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c should be raised above the platform surface 2666 a, 2666 b, 2666 c to align the mating connector 2632 a, 2632 b, 2632 c of the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c to the connector 2672 a, 2672 b, 2672 c on the docking surface 2668 a, 2668 b, 2668 c. For example, as shown in the third example (case 2604 c and handle assembly 2601 c) in FIG. 26, a tongue 2665 may be provided in the back side interior surface 2620 c of the case and a matching slot 2663 may be formed in the platform surface 2666 c of the handle assembly 2601 c. The thickness of the tongue 2665 can vary to raise the mobile device 18 c above the platform surface 2666 c to ensure alignment of the connector 2672 c on the docking surface 2668 c with the mating connector 2632 c on the mobile device 18 c.

Each case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c may include one or more apertures 2674 a, 2674 b, 2674 c, 2674 d within one or more of its walls to expose control buttons or switches on the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c when the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c is inserted into the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c. Each case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c is designed for a mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c of a particular model or size so that each aperture 2674 a, 2674 b, 2674 c, 2674 d is positioned for the control buttons or switches on the corresponding mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c. Alternatively, instead of the aperture(s), a flexible button or switch may be formed in the corresponding position in the wall(s) of the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c so that the control buttons or switches on the mobile device 18 a, 18 b, 18 c may be operated through the flexible button or switch formed in the wall(s) of the case 2604 a, 2604 b, 2604 c.

FIG. 29 is a cutaway view of an accessory 2600 with the handle assembly 2601 assembled with a case 2604 to encase a mobile device 18. The handle assembly 2601 includes a handle 2602 extending downward away from the platform 2603. The handle 2602 is sized and shaped to be gripped by an operator with the operator's thumb and forefinger being positioned at a shoulder 2678 where the handle 2602 meets the platform 2603. When held in this manner the display screen 43 of the mobile device 18 is visible to an operator looking downward.

A trigger switch 2680 is positioned at the shoulder 2678 and is intended to enable the operator to trigger reading of a barcode utilizing the same ergonomics of a typical “gun” type of barcode reader. The trigger switch 2680 activates a trigger or barcode rendering circuit 2682 in the handle assembly 2601.

The handle assembly 2601 may include a battery 2664 for supplying power to the components in the handle assembly 2601 as well as providing operating power and/or charging power to the mobile device 18 through the connector 2672 on the docking surface 2668.

The optic system 2670 secured to the case 2604 may include a structure described with respect to FIG. 10C or 10D for purposes of folding the optical path of at least one of a field of illumination of a light source of the mobile device 18 or a field of view of a camera of the mobile device 18 when the mobile device 18 is accommodated in the case 2604. The field of illumination of a light source of the mobile device 18 or the field of view of a camera of the mobile device 18 is folded from the back surface of the mobile device 18 towards the target area positioned at the top side of the mobile device 18.

The optic system 2670 may include, or be configured similarly to, any of the other optic systems, or components, thereof, including those described with respect to FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 13, 14, and 15.

The handle assembly 2601 may further include a supplemental illumination system 2684. The supplemental illumination system 2684 may include one or more LED illuminators for emitting illumination towards the front of the handle assembly 2601 (e.g., towards the top of the mobile device 18 when the mobile device 18 is encased within the case 2604). The supplemental illumination system 2684 may emit targeting illumination (illumination for generating a targeting pattern) and/or exposure illumination (illumination for capturing a barcode).

The supplemental illumination system 2684 may be positioned at the front edge of, or below, the platform 2603 and around a central point of the mobile device 18 when the mobile device 18 is encased within the case 2604. The distance from the supplemental illumination system 2684 to the top side of the case 2604 may be different from case to case. As such, as shown in FIG. 29, the case 2604 may include a light pipe 2686 which extends between an illumination receiving end 2688 b and an illumination emitting end 2688 a. The illumination receiving end 2688 b is positioned within the field of illumination of the supplemental illumination system 2684 (e.g., one or more LEDs) and input illumination generated by the supplemental illumination system 2684 into the light pipe 2686. The illumination emitting end 2688 a is positioned adjacent to the optic system 2670 and emits illumination into the system field of view to illuminate a barcode therein. Light received at the illumination receiving end 2688 b generally propagates through the light pipe 2686 to the illumination emitting end 2688 a based on the principle of total internal reflection. The illumination emitting end 2688 a may include an optic system 2690 of: i) the curvature of the illumination emitting end 2688 a, ii) one or more lenses, and/or iii) one or more apertures to modify the intensity distribution of the emitted illumination which is projected into the target area as one of exposure illumination and/or targeting illumination.

If emitted as exposure illumination, the optic system 2690 may function to reduce variation of the intensity of the illumination over the field of view (e.g., even illumination across the field of view). If emitted as targeting illumination the optic system 2690 may function to increase variation of the intensity of the illumination within portions of the field of view to form a visible target pattern. In another embodiment, if emitted as a combination of both targeting illumination and exposure illumination, the optic system 2690 may function to decrease variation in the intensity of the illumination across the field of view (e.g., even illumination across the field of view) with a very sharp and noticeable decrease in the intensity of illumination at approximately the edges of the field of view such that the illumination pattern appears to be a particular shape (e.g., square or rectangular) with even intensity within the field of view and noticeably less illumination, if any, being emitted outside the field of view.

The one or more LEDs of the supplemental illumination system 2684 may comprise one or more LEDs of the same color (such as white LEDs, red LEDs, or blue LEDs) or may comprise LEDs of multiple colors such as white LEDs combined with amber LEDs. The LEDs may be the same color as, or different than, the one or more LEDs of the one or more illumination systems of the mobile device 18.

In one embodiment, the operating system or other software executing on the mobile device 18 may hinder the use of the light source (e.g., an LED) of the mobile device 18 as targeting illumination if it does not support a sequence of turning the light source on for targeting, off for image capture, and on for targeting at a rate rapid enough for a good user experience. In one embodiment, i) the light source (i.e., a torch) of the mobile device 18 may be used for exposure illumination and the optic system 2670 may function to reduce variation of the intensity of illumination emitted by the light source of the mobile device 18; and ii) the supplemental illumination system 2684 may be used for targeting illumination.

Alternatively, the light source of the mobile device 18 may be used for targeting and exposure illumination and the optic system 2670 may function to reduce variation of the intensity of illumination emitted by the light source of the mobile device 18 across the field of view with a distinct drop in intensity at approximately the edges of the field of view to yield a particular illumination pattern (e.g., square or rectangular) suitable for targeting a barcode and exposing the barcode during image capture.

Alternatively, the light source of the mobile device 18 may be used for exposure illumination and targeting illumination (e.g., a square or rectangular pattern) and the supplemental illumination system 2684 may be used as additional diffuse bright field illumination or really bright far field illumination. Alternatively, the light source of the mobile device 18 may be used for targeting (e.g., bright field illumination in a square or rectangular pattern) but may be turned off if there is too much glare for exposure. The supplemental illumination system 2684 may be used as diffuse bright field illumination and/or dark field illumination.

FIG. 30 shows another exemplary barcode-reading enhancement accessory 3000 configured as an encapsulating attachment in accordance with another embodiment. FIG. 31 depicts a case and a platform of the exemplary barcode-reading enhancement accessory along with a mobile device. FIG. 32 shows an exemplary barcode-reading enhancement accessory with a different latching mechanism. FIG. 33 shows an exemplary case coupled to a platform, which is configured as an encapsulating attachment.

The barcode-reading enhancement accessory 3000 may comprise a handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b and a case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c. Each case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c is configured for encasing a mobile device (not shown) of a different model or size. The interior and/or exterior dimensions of each case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c may be designed differently for accommodating a particular model or size of a mobile device. The handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b may be generic to all or some of the cases 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c so that the same handle assembly may be used with multiple cases 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c. Alternatively, each handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b may be designed for a particular mobile device and may be used with a corresponding case designed for the particular mobile device. It should be noted that FIG. 30 depicts three cases 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c and two handle assemblies 3001 a, 3001 b as an example, and the accessory 3000 may comprise one or more than one cases and one or more than one handle assembly.

The case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c may comprise a cavity 3018 a, 3018 b, 3018 c into which a mobile device 18 is inserted. The cavity 3018 a, 3018 b, 3018 c may be defined by interior surfaces comprising a back side interior surface 3020 a, 3020 b, 3020 c, a face interior surface 3022 a, 3022 b, 3022 c, which is generally parallel to the back side interior surface 3020 a, 3020 b, 3020 c, a top edge interior surface 3040 a, 3040 b, 3040 c, a left edge interior surface 3026 a, 3026 b, 3026 c, and a right edge interior surface 3024 a, 3024 b, 3024 c, which is opposite, and parallel, to the left edge interior surface 3026 a, 3026 b, 3026 c.

The case may have a bottom wall 3005 a, 3005 b, 3005 c as a separate piece. The bottom wall 3005 a, 3005 b, 3005 c is secured to the remaining piece of the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c with a connecting mechanism to complete the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c. The case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c is combined with the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b, more particularly, with the platform 3003 a, 3003 b of the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b. After the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c is coupled to the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b, the docking surface 3068 a, 3068 b of the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b may close the cavity 3018 a, 3018 b, 3018 c.

The case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c and the platform 3003 a, 3003 b may be combined by sliding the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c towards the docking surface 3068 a, 3068 b of the platform 3003 a, 3003 b. The bottom wall 3005 a, 3005 b, 3005 c of the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c is then closed and locked after the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c and the platform 3003 a, 3003 b are combined. FIG. 33 shows the complete case combined with the platform.

As shown in FIG. 30, one end of the bottom wall 3005 a, 3005 b, 3005 c and one corner of the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c may be coupled with a pin so that the bottom wall 3005 a, 3005 b, 3005 c may freely rotate and a latching (fastening or clamping) mechanism may be provided at the other corner of the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c so that the other end of the bottom wall 3005 a, 3005 b, 3005 c may be secured by the latching mechanism. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 32, the bottom wall 3005 a, 3005 b, 3005 c may be coupled to the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c with screws or pins 3009. Any other conventional means may be used to secure the bottom wall 3005 a, 3005 b, 3005 c to the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c.

Each of the top edge interior surface 3040 a, 3040 b, 3040 c, the docking surface 3068 a, 3068 b of the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b, the left edge interior surface 3026 a, 3026 b, 3026 c, and the right edge interior surface 3024 a, 3024 b, 3024 c may be generally planar and extend between the back side interior surface 3020 a, 3020 b, 3020 c and the face interior surface 3022 a, 3022 b, 3022 c, and define a perimeter (perimeter edges) of each of the back side interior surface 3020 a, 3020 b, 3020 c and the face interior surface 3022 a, 3022 b, 3022 c. The top edge interior surface 3040 a, 3040 b, 3040 c and the docking surface 3068 a, 3068 b of the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b may each be orthogonal to each of the left edge interior surface 3026 a, 3026 b, 3026 c and the right edge interior surface 3024 a, 3024 b, 3024 c.

The back side interior surface 3020 a, 3020 b, 3020 c may include an aperture 3062 a, 3062 b, 3062 c. The aperture 3062 a, 3062 b, 3062 c may be formed in the center portion of the back side interior surface 3020 a, 3020 b, 3020 c leaving a band in the top, left, and right sides of the back side interior surface 3020 a, 3020 b, 3020 c.

In one embodiment, the handle assembly 3001 a may include a handle 3002 a and a platform 3003 a. In another embodiment, the handle assembly 3001 b may include a platform 3003 b and may not have a handle. The handle assembly 3001 a may be attachable and detachable to the platform 3003 a.

The platform 3003 a, 3003 b includes a platform surface 3066 a, 3066 b and a docking surface 3068 a, 3068 b. The platform 3003 a, 3003 b may have two decks. When the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c is coupled to the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b, the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c is placed on top of the lower deck 3007 a, 3007 b and the top surface (the platform surface 3066 a, 3066 b) of the upper deck 3008 a, 3008 b may: i) be flush (or alternatively may not be flush) with the back side interior surface 3020 a, 3020 b, and 3020 c, and ii) fill (or substantially fill) the aperture 3062 a, 3062 b, 3062 c. After the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c is coupled to the platform 3003 a, 3003 b, the docking surface 3068 a, 3068 b becomes a partial bottom edge interior surface of the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c.

As shown in FIG. 31, the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c (with the mobile device 18 encased in it) is coupled to the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b before using as a barcode reading device. For coupling the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c to the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b, a coupling structure may be provided in the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c and the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b. For example, a tongue (or a groove) may be formed along the left and right edges of the platform surface 3066 a, 3066 b and a groove (or a tongue) may be formed along the left and right edges of the aperture 3062 a, 3062 b, 3062 c of the back side interior surface of the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c so that the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c may be coupled to the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b by sliding the tongue along the groove. Alternatively, the left and right edges of the platform surface 3066 a, 3066 b and the aperture 3062 a, 3062 b, 3062 c may have the matching cross-section (e.g., a slanted edge) so that the platform 3003 a, 3003 b and the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c may be secured by simply sliding the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c towards the docking surface 3068 a, 3068 b along the matched edges of the platform surface 3066 a, 3066 b and the aperture 3062 a, 3062 b, 3062 c. Alternatively or additionally, a ridge and a rail may be formed along the left and right edges of the platform surface 3066 a, 3066 b, and the left and right edges of the aperture 3062 a, 3062 b, 3062 c. The ridge/rail combination may provide additional strength for securing the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c to the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b and provide greater strength against torsional forces (in the direction 2692 as shown in FIG. 29) than if the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c is simply mounted to the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b.

The face interior surface 3022 a, 3022 b, 3022 c may also include an aperture through which a display screen 43 of a mobile device 18 may be viewed and as such the face interior surface 3022 a, 3022 b, 3022 c may be a thin band which extends around the periphery defined by the top edge interior surface 3040 a, 3040 b, 3040 c, the docking surface 3068 a, 3068 b, the left edge interior surface 3026 a, 3026 b, 3026 c, and the right edge interior surface 3024 a, 3024 b, 3024 c.

At least a portion of the interior surfaces (shown in FIG. 30) of the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c (including the docking surface 3068 a, 3068 b of the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b) conform to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the mobile device 18 for which the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c is configured. Each case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c may have different dimensions of its interior surfaces to fit a mobile device 18 of a different model or size. More specifically, each case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c may comprise interior surfaces into which a particular model or size of a mobile device 18 will securely fit. For example, case 3004 a may be configured to fit the Apple iPhone 6 Plus®, case 3004 b may be configured to fit the Apple iPhone 6®, and case 3004 c may be configured to fit the Apple iPhone 5/5s®.

When the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c carrying a mobile device 18 is coupled to the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b, the position of the mobile device 18 with respect to the accessory is referred to as the “operating position.”

An optic system 3070 (as shown in FIG. 33) may be secured to the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c. The optic system 3070 is configured to fold an optical path of at least one of a field of illumination of a light source of the mobile device 18 or a field of view of a camera of the mobile device 18 when the mobile device 18 is accommodated in the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c.

When the mobile device 18 is in the operating position, the optic system 3070 may be within at least one of the field of illumination of the white light source of the mobile device 18 and/or the field of view of the camera of the mobile device 18. The dimensions of the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c are selected so that the mobile device 18 is positioned within the cavity 3018 a, 3018 b, 3018 c of the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c so that the optic system 3070 is within at least one of the field of illumination of the white light source of the mobile device 18 and/or the field of view of the camera of the mobile device 18.

The optic system 2070 may include, or be configured similarly to, any of the other optic systems, or components, thereof, including those described with respect to FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 13, 14, and 15.

A connector 3072 (e.g., the Apple Lightning Connector®), as shown in FIG. 33, may be provided on the docking surface 3068 a, 3068 b of the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b for connection to the mating connector 3032 (shown in FIG. 31) of the mobile device 18 when the combined mobile device and case is coupled to the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b. When the mobile device 18 is in the operating position, the connector 3072 on the handle assembly is aligned both vertically and horizontally with the mating connector 3032 on the mobile device 18. The dimensions and shape of the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c are selected so that when the combination of the case and the mobile device is coupled to the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b, the connector 3072 on the handle assembly is aligned both vertically and horizontally with the mating connector 3032 on the mobile device 18.

Typically the mating connector 3032 on the mobile device 18 will be in the center (between the left and right sides when the mobile device 18 is viewed in a portrait mode) of the mobile device 18 on its bottom surface. There are certain scenarios where all of the mobile devices 18 for which the cases 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c are designed may have the mating connector 3032 positioned at the same distance from the back side exterior surface of the mobile device 18. In these scenarios, that distance can be used for the distance between the platform surface 3066 a, 3066 b and the connector 3072 of the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b, and the back side interior surface 3020 a, 3020 b, 3020 c of each case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c may be flush with the platform surface 3066 a, 3066 b.

However, there may be other cases where the distance between the mating connector 3032 on a mobile device 18 and the mobile device's back side exterior surface varies among the mobile devices for which cases are designed. In these cases, the back side interior surface 3020 a, 3020 b, 3020 c of each case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c may not be flush with the platform surface 3066 a, 3066 b and the mobile device 18 should be raised above the platform surface 3066 a, 3066 b to align the mating connector 3032 of the mobile device 18 to the connector 3072 on the docking surface 3068 a, 3068 b. For example, a tongue 3065 may be provided in the back side interior surface 3020 c of the case and a matching slot 3063 may be formed in the upper deck 3008 a, 3008 b of the platform 3003 a, 3003 b. The thickness of the tongue 3065 can vary to raise the mobile device 18 above the platform surface 3066 a, 3066 b to ensure alignment of the connector 3072 on the docking surface 3068 a, 3068 b with the mating connector 3032 on the mobile device 18.

Each case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c may include one or more apertures 3074 a, 3074 b, 3074 c, 3074 d within one or more of its walls to expose control buttons or switches on the mobile device 18 when the mobile device 18 is inserted into the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c. Each case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c is designed for a mobile device 18 of a particular model or size so that each aperture 3074 a, 3074 b, 3074 c, 3074 d is positioned for the control buttons or switches on the corresponding mobile device 18. Alternatively, instead of the aperture(s), a flexible button or switch may be formed in the corresponding position in the wall(s) of the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c so that the control buttons or switches on the mobile device 18 may be operated through the flexible button or switch formed in the wall(s) of the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c.

The handle 3002 a extends downward away from the platform 3003 a. The handle 3002 a is sized and shaped to be gripped by an operator. When held by the operator, the display screen 43 of the mobile device 18 is visible to an operator looking downward. A trigger switch (not shown in FIG. 30 but similar to the trigger switch 2680 shown in FIG. 29) may be provided on the handle 3002 a to enable the operator to trigger reading of a barcode. In case where the handle assembly 3001 b does not include a handle, a trigger switch 3080 may be provided, for example, on the side of the case, as shown in FIG. 33. The trigger switch activates a trigger or barcode rendering circuit in the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b. The handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b may include a battery for supplying power to the components in the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b as well as providing operating power and/or charging power to the mobile device 18 through the connector 3072.

Referring to FIG. 33, the optic system 3070 secured to the case 3004 may include a structure described with respect to FIG. 10C or 10D for purposes of folding the optical path of at least one of a field of illumination of a light source of the mobile device 18 or a field of view of a camera of the mobile device 18 when the mobile device 18 is accommodated in the case 3004. The field of illumination of a light source of the mobile device 18 or the field of view of a camera of the mobile device 18 is folded from the back surface of the mobile device 18 towards the target area positioned at the top side of the mobile device 18.

Referring to FIG. 30, the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b may further include a supplemental illumination system that is similar to the supplemental illumination system 2684 in FIG. 29. The optic system including the light pipe 2686, the illumination emitting and receiving ends 2688 a, 2688 b, and the optic system 2690 may also be provided to the case. Details of the supplemental illumination system and the optic systems will not be provided here for simplicity. The supplemental illumination system may include one or more LED illuminators for emitting illumination towards the front of the handle assembly 3001 a, 3001 b (e.g., towards the top of the mobile device 18 when the mobile device 18 is encased within the case 3004 a, 3004 b, 3004 c). The supplemental illumination system may be targeting illumination (illumination for generating a targeting pattern) and/or exposure illumination (illumination for capturing a barcode).

The barcode-reading enhancement system of the present invention may include a barcode-reading application 500 that may be obtained from the application server 22 a, 22 b (shown in FIG. 1) and installed on the mobile device 18 as described with respect to FIG. 3A.

FIG. 16 shows a block diagram of an exemplary barcode application 500. The exemplary barcode application 500 may include permutations of a user interface control method 502, image capture control methods 504, a decoder 506, and a data control method 508.

FIG. 17 depicts a state machine 642 useful for user interface control methods 502 of the barcode application 500. The state machine 642 may operate either in a user interface state 644 or in a data collection state 646.

When in the user interface state 644, the (capacitive touch) display screen 66 and the backlight for the display screen are active and the contents of the display screen 66 may be controlled by the barcode application 500. When in the data collection state 646, the (capacitive touch) display screen 66 may be turned off; the (capacitive touch) display screen 66 may be turned on, but the backlight may be turned off; or both the (capacitive touch) display screen 66 and the backlight may be turned on, but the backlight intensity may be set to a minimum. The data collection state 646 is intended for conserving power (i.e., for extending battery life) when the operator is using the mobile device 18 to read barcodes and does not need to simultaneously use the (captive touch) display screen 66 for manual data entry.

To transition 648 from the user interface state 644 to the data collection state 646, the barcode application 500 utilizing the data control methods 508 may make a processing call to the operating system of the mobile device 18 requesting to i) turn off the display and backlight; ii) turn off the backlight (in the event the operating system does not make the function of turning off the display available to the application); or iii) turn the backlight power to a minimum (in the event the operating system does not make the function of turning off the display or turning off the backlight available to the application). If none of the foregoing options are available, the barcode application may simply write a black image to the display and enter a state where all input though the touch panel is ignored, thereby giving the appearance that the display has been turned off.

When in the data collection state 646, multiple barcodes can be read in sequence (utilizing the camera and targeting structure described herein but not requiring use of the display for targeting) and processed, stored, and/or transmitted by the application without requiring any user interaction with the user interface. Examples of the functions that may be performed by the application when in the data collection state without requiring user input include the functions of the relay application described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,193.

When a transition 650 to the user interface state 644 is required, the barcode application 500 may make a processing call to the operating system of the mobile device 18 requesting to i) turn on the display (i.e., the touch panel or backlight) in the event that these are turned off during the data collection state 646; ii) turn on the backlight (in the event the operating system does not make the function of turning off the display available to the application and therefore the display remains “on” while the backlight remains “off” during the data collection state 646); or iii) turn the backlight power up to a present level (in the event the operating system does not make the function of turning off the display or turning off the backlight available to the application, both remain “on” during the data collection state 646 while the backlight power has been turned down).

Events that may trigger transition 648 from the user interface state 644 to the data collection state 646 include user activation of a hardware control on the mobile device 18 or activation of a software control present on the display screen when in the user interface state 644. Events that may trigger transition 650 from the data collection state 646 to the user interface state 644 include user activation of a hardware control on the mobile device 18 or a signal from a remote software application which may include the application to which the mobile device 18 is sending decoded barcode data.

Returning to FIG. 16, the image capture control methods 504 may comprise permutations of color format control methods 504 a, autofocus control methods 504 b, auto-white balance control methods 504 c, resolution and pre-processing control methods 504 d, gain and shutter control methods 504 e, and target and exposure illumination and shutter control methods 504 f.

Permutations of these methods may be performed when the barcode application 500 enters the data collection state 646 such that the mobile device 18 is configured for barcode reading prior to the operator triggering or otherwise initiating a barcode read. Permutation of these methods may be performed immediately following an unsuccessful decode with adjustments made to certain image capture settings based on analysis of the image that yielded the unsuccessful decode so that the mobile device 18 is re-configured for barcode reading prior to the next image capture. Permutations of these methods may be performed after the user has triggered or otherwise initiated a barcode read but prior to actual image capture to configure the mobile device 18 for the image capture.

As stated with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2E, the camera assembly 36 may be capable of generating both Y.U.V and R.G.B. color formatted outputs. The color format control methods 504 a may query whether the image sensor and/or associated circuitry has been set to provide an output in the Y.U.V. color space. If not, the color format control method 504 a may issue a command to the operating system 48, the processor 44, or the system-on-chip circuits 92 to set the image sensor output to the Y.U.V. color space.

The R.G.B. format may commonly be used for general-purpose photography. However, for barcode reading and/or decoding, it may be advantageous to use the Y.U.V. format instead. This is because decoding a barcode image may be mostly reliant upon the pattern defined by the luminous intensity 168 (shown in FIG. 2E) of each pixel in the barcode image. Optionally, the first chromatic 170 and the second chromatic 172 may even be ignored by the application that decodes the barcode image.

Thus, the output module 91 of the system-on-chip circuits 92 may be set to provide the digital image output 162 in the form of the Y.U.V. data format 166 (or use Y.U.V data for the input to image processing circuits within the system-on-chip circuits 92). Accordingly, the application 50 may instruct the output module 91, directly, through the operating system 48, or through other control circuitry, to cause the output module 91 to provide the digital image output 162, to use, for image processing circuits, data in the Y.U.V format when the photo sensor 42 is to be used for capturing a barcode image and to return in the R.G.B. format for general photography when barcode capturing operations are complete.

In one embodiment, for barcode images, the output module 91 may be set to provide the digital image output 162, or use for image processing data in the form of the luminous intensity 168 for each pixel, and the first chromatic 170 and the second chromatic 172 may not even be provided or used. This may reduce the traffic on the data bus, reduce image processing time for image processing circuits, reduce the processing load of the processor 44, and/or save space in the image data buffer 89 of the memory 46.

As discussed with respect to FIG. 2A, the mobile device 18 may include an autofocus module 98. The autofocus module 98 may be optimized for photography. The image capture control methods 504 of the barcode application 500 may include autofocus control methods 504 b for adjusting the autofocus settings of the autofocus module 98 for barcode image capture. More specifically, the distance between the mobile device 18 and a barcode 142 within a target area 140 may be within a relatively predictable range of distances which is a much smaller range of distances between the mobile device and the subject of a general-purpose photograph. Thus, using customized autofocus settings for barcode image capture may facilitate obtaining proper focus and/or expedite the image capture process.

FIG. 18A illustrates exemplary autofocus options in the form of a graph 610. As shown, a horizontal axis 612 represents a nonlinear continuum of focus positions (e.g., object distance that is best focused onto the photo sensor). The camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 may have a full range 614 of focus positions. However, those on the upper and lower ends of the full range 614 may not be needed for barcode image capture because they represent object distances which are less than, or greater than, the typical distance between a barcode reader and a barcode. Accordingly, the autofocus settings of the camera assembly 36 may be configured specifically for barcode image capture, for example, via commands to the autofocus module 98 (or the operating system 48 controlling the autofocus module 98).

By way of example, the commands to the autofocus module 98 (or the operating system 48) may allow the camera assembly 36 to focus at object distances within a limited range 616. The limited range 616 may represent the useful range of object distances for barcode image capture, and exclude object distances too close to the mobile device 18 and object distances too far from the mobile device 18 for barcode reading.

As another example, the commands to the autofocus module 98 (or the operating system 48) may limit focus positions to discrete positions such as a first position 618 a, a second position 618 b, and a third position 618 c. The first position 618 a, the second position 618 b, and the third position 618 c may represent useful object distances for barcode image capture. The optic system may have sufficient depth of field at each of the discrete positions to accommodate image capture of a barcode within the target area 140 with sufficient sharpness for decoding.

Setting autofocus to one of a plurality of discrete focus settings may utilize a feedback-loop algorithm that is faster than the feedback-loop algorithms for autofocus when performing photography wherein the image is analyzed for sharpness and the best focus position is determined within the entire range.

As discussed with respect to FIG. 2A, the system-on-chip circuits 92 may include an auto-white balance module 93. As such the auto-white balance control methods 504 c of the barcode application 500 (shown in FIG. 16) may issue a command to the operating system 48, the processor 44, or the auto-white balance module 93 to disable the auto-white balance function of the image sensor and/or associated circuitry. This may be done, as indicated previously, to avoid degrading contrast when a narrow band of illumination frequency is focused onto the image sensor for barcode reading.

As such, for barcode images, the output module 91 may be set to provide the digital image output 162, or use for image processing data that has not been subjected to modification by the disabled auto-white balance module 93.

The resolution and pre-processing control methods 504 d may control the resolution for the output image as well as other image processing which may be performed on the output image prior to storing in the image data buffer 89 for decoding. Speed enhancements for image processing and decoding may be obtained by altering the resolution of the captured image. While high resolution images (e.g. 8 megapixels or more) may be desirable for conventional photography, this resolution may not be needed for barcode imaging and decoding. As long as the resolution is sufficient for successful decoding of a barcode, there is typically no need for an image of greater resolution.

Selection of the resolution may be done, for example, based on the type of barcode to be scanned, the size of the barcode within the output image, and other factors, which may be determined from previous images captured of the barcode. The resolution selected may be full resolution (i.e., one output pixel for each pixel captured by the image sensor) or binned (i.e., one output pixel for each group of x pixels captured by the image sensor).

FIG. 18B illustrates exemplary resolution binning methods that can be used to reduce the resolution of a barcode image. An exemplary image may be captured, by way of example, in three different ways. In a first scheme 620, no binning may be applied, and the image output may be the native resolution (full resolution) of the photo sensor 42 (i.e., one digital pixel value for each pixel captured by the photo sensor 42). In a second scheme 622, moderate binning may be applied so that the output has one digital pixel value, for example, for every four pixels captured by the photo sensor 42. The resulting output image data may thus be one-quarter of the resolution of the captured image data. In a third scheme 624, more aggressive binning may be applied so that the output has one digital pixel value, for example, for every six pixels captured by the photo sensor 42. The resulting output image data may thus be vertical binning (non-square) and one-sixth of the resolution of the captured image data.

When binning is applied, various mathematical algorithms may be used to obtain the value of an output pixel, based on its constituent pixels of the captured image. According to some examples, the intensity values of the constituent pixels may be averaged to provide the value of the resulting output pixel.

The foregoing description is illustrative of certain types of image processing that may be performed on image data while the image data is being transferred through the hardware circuits 90 and DMA 86 to the image data buffer 89. A more complete description of image processing algorithms that may be implemented in the hardware circuits 90 (or the system-on-chip circuits 92) is included in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/717,112. In the exemplary embodiment, the image resolution and pre-processing control methods 504 d of the barcode application 500 may provide instructions to the hardware circuits 90, the system-on-chip circuits 92, and/or the operating system to set any of the foregoing image pre-processing options as well as image pre-processing options described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/171,112.

In all cases, setting the resolution and image pre-processing selections may entail the resolution and pre-processing control methods 504 d issuing a command to the operating system 48, the processor 44, the applicable image processing circuits within the hardware circuits 90, or the applicable image processing circuits within the system-on-chip circuits 92.

Gain and shutter control methods 504 e may comprise setting image capture parameter values for one or more image frames to be sequentially captured, including a gain setting and an exposure setting for each frame as described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/171,112.

FIG. 19A depicts an exemplary embodiment of target and exposure illumination and shutter control methods 504 f in accordance with one embodiment. Step 542 represents receiving a trigger signal indicating that a barcode is to be read. The trigger signal may be received in several alternative ways as represented by steps 542 a-542 e. As discussed, the barcode application 500 may have a user interface (not shown) with one or more graphical elements displayed on the display screen 66. The user may use such graphical elements to initiate the barcode scanning process (for example, by tapping a “scan” soft button on the display screen 66) (542 a).

Alternatively, the application may monitor the microphone connector 34 b and the trigger signal may be a microphone input signal generated by the attachment as described with respect to FIG. 14 (542 b).

Alternatively, the application may monitor the data connector 64 b and the trigger signal may be a data input signal generated by the attachment as described with respect to FIG. 13 (542 c).

Alternatively, the application may monitor the wireless communication system 52 and the trigger signal may be a wireless radio frequency (RF) trigger signal generated by the attachment (542 d).

Alternatively, the application may monitor the target area 140 utilizing a sensor and the trigger signal may be automatically generated by the application detecting the presence of a barcode within the target area 140 (542 e).

Step 544 represents pulsing the target illumination to generate a distinct illumination pattern within the target area 140 to assist the operator in aiming the mobile device 18 with respect to the barcode for image capture. The pulse may be generated for a duration sufficient for the operator to aim the mobile device 18 or may be generated for a shorter period of time (on the order of 10 ms). As discussed, the target illumination may be generated by the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 (step 544 a) or may be an external target illumination source (step 544 b) within the attachment.

Step 546 represents a step of activating the exposure illumination. In certain embodiments ambient illumination is used for providing diffuse illumination for image capture of a barcode. In these embodiments step 546 may not be performed. In other embodiments the exposure illumination may be activated for image capture (step 546). As discussed, the exposure illumination may be generated by the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 (e.g., a mobile device torch) (step 546 a) or may be an external exposure illumination source (step 546 b) within the attachment. The barcode image is then captured (step 548).

Step 550 represents determining whether there has been a successful decode of the barcode represented in the captured image. If it has been successful, then the method may end. If there has not been a successful decode, the image capture parameters may be adjusted at step 552 and the target illumination system may again be pulsed to further assist the user in aiming the mobile device 18 with respect to the barcode at step 544. It is recognized that several repeats of this process may be required for: i) the operator to properly aim the mobile device 18 with respect to the barcode (if the target illumination pulse is short), and ii) the operator to have a correct combination of image capture parameters such that the resulting image is decodable.

FIG. 19B depicts another exemplary embodiment of target and exposure illumination and shutter control methods 504 f in accordance with another embodiment. Some of the steps in FIGS. 19A and 19B are the same and such steps will not be explained in detail for simplicity.

Step 542′ (i.e., any one of 542 a′ to 542 e′) represents receiving a trigger signal indicating that a barcode is to be read.

Step 554′ represents turning on a combination of targeting and exposure illumination. As discussed with respect to FIG. 8D, the intense targeting pattern 400 may include diffuse illumination across a region that coincides with the system field of view 207 such that the targeting illumination is also the exposure illumination. As discussed, the targeting and exposure illumination may be generated by the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 (step 554 a′) or may be an external illumination source within the attachment (step 554 b′).

Step 548′ represents image capture of a barcode, step 550′ represents determining whether there was a successful decode, and step 552′ represents adjusting image capture parameters based on the previous image captured, all as discussed with respect to FIG. 19A. If there is a successful decoding the targeting exposure illumination may be turned off at step 556′. If the decoding is not successful another image of the barcode may be captured (step 548′) following adjustment of image capture parameters (step 552′) if any.

FIG. 19C represents a filtering arrangement for the targeting illumination and the supplemental optics which enable use of the methods of FIG. 19B even if the intense targeting illumination pattern is not also a diffuse illumination pattern across the entire barcode within the field of view.

The visible spectrum 560 generally ranges from about 430 nm to approximately 660 nm. In a first embodiment the targeting illumination structure may include a first narrow band pass filter which passes a narrow band of illumination (e.g., the band 564) within the visible spectrum 560 while attenuating illumination (e.g., the band 566 a) below the band 564 and illumination (e.g., the band 566 b) above the band 564. In an exemplary embodiment, the first narrow band pass filter may have its narrow pass band centered at a wavelength between 430 nm and 470 nm which are the wavelengths corresponding to blue illumination. When such a filter is used to filter white illumination, the color of the intense targeting illumination passed by the band pass filter would appear blue.

In another embodiment, the targeting illumination structure may include a low pass filter. The low pass filter passes wavelengths of illumination (e.g., the band 570) which are within the visible spectrum 560 below a predetermined threshold while attenuating wavelengths of illumination (e.g., the band 572) above the threshold. In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined threshold may be between 470 nm and 500 nm such that the pass band (i.e., the passed illumination spectrum) is substantially blue. When such a filter is used to filter white illumination, the color of the illumination passed by the filter appears blue.

Although the first narrow band pass filter is depicted as having very distinct edges (e.g. wavelengths within the pass band 564 are passed with no attenuation and wavelengths outside the pass band 564 are completely attenuated) it is recognized in the art that the edges are not as distinct as depicted, and some illumination within the pass band 564 will also be attenuated and some illumination outside of the pass band (i.e., the bands 566 a and 566 b) will also be passed. A most efficient filter will minimize the amount of illumination within the pass band 564 that is attenuated and further minimize the amount of illumination that is outside of the pass band (i.e., the bands 566 a and 566 b) to be passed.

Similarly, although the low pass filter is depicted as having a very distinct edge at the threshold (e.g., wavelengths below the threshold are passed with no attenuation and wavelengths above the threshold are completely attenuated) it is recognized in the art that the edge is not as distinct as depicted, and some illumination within the band 570 will be attenuated and some illumination within the band 572 will be passed. A most efficient filter will minimize the amount of illumination within the band 570 that is attenuated and further minimize the amount of illumination in the band 572 that is outside of the band 570 to be passed.

In other embodiments, the targeting illumination structure may include a high pass filter. The high pass filter passes wavelengths of illumination (e.g., the band 578) which are within the visible spectrum 560 above a predetermined threshold while attenuating wavelengths of illumination (e.g., the band 576) below the threshold. In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined threshold may be 500 nm such that the pass band 578 includes the entire visible spectrum excluding illumination which is substantially blue.

As with the low pass filter, the high pass filter is depicted as having a very distinct edge at the threshold (e.g. wavelengths above the threshold are passed with no attenuation and wavelengths below the threshold are completely attenuated) it is recognized in the art that the edge is not as distinct as depicted, and some illumination above the threshold will be attenuated and some illumination below the threshold will be passed. A most efficient filter will minimize the amount of illumination above the threshold that is attenuated and further minimize the amount of illumination below the threshold that is passed.

It should be appreciated that when illumination from a white light source 84 of a mobile device 18 is filtered utilizing a narrow band pass filter (e.g., a pass band 564) or a low pass filter (e.g., a pass band 570) and the illumination incident on the camera lens is filtered by a high pass filter (e.g., passing the band 578), the illumination generated by the white light source 84, as filtered, may not be visible to the camera because the portion of the illumination passed by the band pass filter (e.g., passing the band 564) or the low pass filter (e.g., passing the band 570) is attenuated by the high pass filter. As such, if the white light source 84 is used for generating an intense targeting illumination pattern within the field of view 207, the targeting pattern may not be visible to the camera (e.g., attenuated by the high pass filter) and ambient illumination passed by the high pass filter (e.g., passing the band 578) is visible to the camera and is typically sufficient for imaging and decoding a barcode.

This structure enables the accessory to further utilize optics to generate a targeting pattern utilizing the white light source 84 (filtered before or after being shaped by the optic) and enables the intense targeting illumination pattern to continue to illuminate the barcode during image capture (enabling the operator to aim the mobile device 18 with respect to the barcode) without the targeting pattern being visible to the camera and producing hot regions (intense illumination) corresponding to the targeting pattern within the image.

Returning to FIG. 16, the decoder 506 of the barcode application 500 may comprise known methods for image processing and decoding, including methods described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/717,112. As discussed with respect to FIGS. 19A and 19B, if decoding is unsuccessful, then a new barcode image may need to be captured. This may be done by returning to the image capture control methods 504 and selecting new image capture parameters. This process may be repeated until the barcode image has been successfully decoded, or until the user cancels further image capture and/or decoding attempts.

In general the data control methods 508 of the barcode application 500 control what processes are performed on data decoded from the barcode 142 (decoded data) within the target area 140. In more detail, and with reference to FIG. 1, in a first aspect the data control methods 508 may function as a mobile client to a remote non-legacy system which supports maintaining a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) connection with mobile devices (such as mobile device 18) via the LAN 12 for exchanging data with the mobile device 18 (including receiving decoded data from the mobile device 18) and controlling operation of certain aspects of the barcode application 500.

In a second aspect, the data control methods 508 may function as a mobile client to an intermediary device. The intermediary device supports maintaining a TCP/IP connection with mobile devices (such as mobile device 18) via the LAN 12 for receiving decoded data from the mobile device 18. In turn the intermediary device may further support providing decoded data received from the mobile device 18 to a legacy system. This is useful when the legacy system is incapable of receiving decoded data directly from the mobile device 18 via a TCP/IP connection and therefore the barcode application 500 may function independently of, and requires no compatibility with, the communication protocols and functions of the legacy system, including those used for communication between the legacy system and the intermediary device. The intermediary device may communicate with the legacy system, which may be a TCP/IP connection separate from the TCP/IP connection through which the mobile device 18 communicates with the intermediary device.

In accordance with an embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided for storing instructions for a barcode-reading application for a mobile device. The mobile device includes a camera assembly, a network interface, a memory, and a processor for executing the barcode-reading application including a decoder. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may include a code for controlling the camera assembly to capture an image of a barcode, decoding the image of the barcode to generate decoded data, and processing the decoded data; a code for controlling the network interface to establish a network connection to a licensing server and obtaining a license code from the licensing server when in a base mode of operation; a code for subjecting the license code to a predetermined algorithm and determining at least one operating permission authorized by the license code; a code for enabling an enhanced mode of operation; and a code for implementing at least one enhanced barcode-reading function which corresponds to the at least one operating permission authorized by the license code when in the enhanced mode of operation.

The at least one enhanced barcode-reading function may include a function of decoding a barcode symbology that the decoder is restricted from decoding in the base mode of operation. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one enhanced barcode-reading function may include a function of decoding multiple barcodes in sequence at a rate that is faster than a rate at which the barcode-reading application can decode multiple barcodes in sequence in the base mode of operation. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one enhanced barcode-reading function may include a function of decoding a quantity of barcodes of a particular symbology that exceeds a restricted quantity of barcodes of the particular symbology that the barcode-reading application can decode in the base mode of operation.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one enhanced barcode-reading function may remove a demonstration restriction function under which the barcode-reading application functions in the base mode of operation. The demonstration restriction function may be at least one of: i) a function that scrambles decoded data from a barcode of at least one symbology; ii) a function that restricts the decoded data or scrambled decoded data from a barcode of at least one symbology from being made available for further processing; or iii) a function that restricts the decoded data or the scrambled decoded data from a barcode of at least one symbology from being displayed on a display screen of the mobile device.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one enhanced barcode-reading function may enable at least one enhanced image processing function that improves an ability to decode an image of a barcode and is not operable when the decoder operates in the base mode of operation.

The base mode of operation may include a base decoding mode of operation and a demonstration mode of operation. The computer-readable storage medium may further include, for the base decoding mode of operation, a code for driving the camera assembly to capture an image of a barcode, a code for applying base decoder functions to the image to identify a barcode symbology, a code for decoding the barcode and making decoded data available for further processing if the barcode symbology is a base symbology, and a code for entering the demonstration mode of operation if the barcode symbology is not the base symbology. The computer-readable storage medium may further include, for the demonstration mode of operation, a code for applying at least one enhanced barcode-reading function to decode the barcode, and a code for performing at least one of: i) outputting an indication of successful decoding of the barcode, or ii) implementing a restriction function. The restriction function may be at least one of: i) a function that scrambles decoded data, ii) a function that restricts the decoded data or scrambled decoded data from being made available for further processing by at least one application executing on the mobile device, or iii) a function that restricts the decoded data or the scrambled decoded data from being displayed on a display screen of the mobile device.

The non-transitory computer-readable medium may further include a code for performing an upgrade function in the demonstration mode of operation. The upgrade function may enable a user selection to obtain the license code, obtain the license code based on the user selection, establish a network connection to the licensing server, and obtain the license code from the licensing server.

The non-transitory computer-readable medium may further include a code, in order to obtain the license code from the licensing server, for communicating to the licensing server one of: i) a unique identification code of the mobile device; or ii) a user identification code identifying a controller of the mobile device.

FIG. 37A depicts a perspective view of a mobile device 18 encapsulated within an encapsulating attachment 3700. The encapsulating attachment 3700 may encapsulate the mobile device 18 as described with respect to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 13, and 14. Alternatively, the encapsulating attachment 3700 may be a combination of an outer case and an inner carriage (or a handle assembly with an encapsulating case) as described with respect to FIGS. 23, 24A, 24B, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33. The encapsulating attachment 3700 is used as a barcode reading enhancement accessory (which may be simply referred to as an “accessory”) to enhance a barcode reading capability of a mobile device 18. The barcode reading enhancement accessory and a barcode reading application that may be downloaded from a remote server into the mobile device 18 and executed by a processor of the mobile device 18 may comprise a barcode-reading system. FIGS. 37A-37C and 38 do not show the details of the mobile device 18, but the mobile device 18 may be similar to the one depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C wherein a camera assembly 36 (including a lens assembly 40) and a white light source 84 are positioned, for example, near the upper left side of the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18.

The encapsulating attachment 3700 includes an optics module 3702 which folds both the field of view 38 of the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 and the field of illumination of the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 similar to the folded field of view and/or folded field of illumination described with respect to FIGS. 10C, 10D, 11A, 11B, 14, 25, 28, 29 and 33. A barcode to be read is presented in the target area which is located around the top side of the mobile device 18.

The optics module 3702 is moveable with respect to the body 3701 of the encapsulating attachment 3700 such that the optics module 3702 may be repositionable between: i) a first position (i.e., an active position) where the optics module 3702 is positioned within the field of view of the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 and the field of illumination of the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18; and ii) a second position (i.e., an inactive position) where the optics module 3702 is positioned outside of both the field of view of the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 and the field of illumination of the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18. The field of view of the camera assembly 36 and the field of illumination of the white light source 84 may be unobstructed by the optics module 3702 in the second position.

The encapsulating attachment 3700 may include an aperture (not shown) extending around a periphery of both the field of view of the camera assembly 36 and the field of illumination of the white light source 84. Through the aperture, the field of view of the camera assembly 36 and the field of illumination of the white light source 84 may extend to be incident on the optics module 3702 when the optics module 3702 is in the first position, and the field of view and the field of illumination may extend beyond the back side of the mobile device 18 when the optics module 3702 is in the second position.

The optics module 3702 may be movable between the first position and the second position by sliding the optics module 3702 within a track 3704 (e.g., a linear track) formed in the body 3701 of the encapsulating attachment 3700, for example, in a way similar to that described with respect to FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D.

FIG. 37A depicts that the optics module 3702 is in the first position such that the optics module 3702 is in the field of view of the camera assembly 36 and the field of illumination of the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18. FIG. 37B depicts that the optics module 3702 is in the second position such that the field of view of the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 and the field of illumination of the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 are unobstructed.

In one embodiment, the direction of the track 3704 and the direction in which the optics module 3702 slides in the track 3704 may be generally parallel to the top edge 78 of the mobile device 18, i.e., the optics module 3702 may slide generally parallel to the top edge 78 from the first position close to the right edge 80 to the second position close to the left edge 82, or vice versa. In another embodiment, the first position and the second position of the optics module 3702 may be displaced from each other in the direction parallel to the right edge 80 and the left edge 82 of the mobile device 18, such that the optics module 3702 may slide between the first position adjacent to the top edge 78 of the mobile device and a second position spaced farther away from the top edge 78 of the mobile device 18, or vice versa. In this embodiment, the track 3704 is generally parallel to the right edge 80 and the left edge 82 of the mobile device 18. This configuration may be useful when the camera assembly 36 and the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 are positioned near the center of the back surface 74 (e.g. approximately centered between the right edge 80 and the left edge 82 of the mobile device 18).

The encapsulating attachment 3700 may include systems including attachment control circuitry 270, a trigger circuit 161, a battery 272, 163, a user control 288 to initiate the capture of a barcode, a trigger switch 157, links 276 a, 276 b, and/or a microphone connector 155 as discussed with respect to FIGS. 13 and 14 for interfacing with the mobile device 18 (e.g., via the speaker/microphone connector 34 and/or the power/data connector 64 of the mobile device 18) and its operating system and any barcode reading application operated thereon. In one embodiment, the systems (including the attachment control circuitry 270, the trigger circuit 161, the battery 272, 163, the user control 288, the trigger switch 157, the links 276 a, 276 b, and/or the microphone connector 155) may be included in a separate detachable package 3703 that may be attached to the encapsulating attachment 3700. Alternatively, the encapsulating attachment 3700 including such systems may be a single piece.

FIG. 37C, like FIG. 37A, depicts the optics module 3702 in the first position. The encapsulating attachment 3700 may include a locking component to lock the optics module 3702 in the first position. For example, the locking component may be a spacer component 3706 which clips into or otherwise engages with the track 3704 and fills the space between the optics module 3702 (when in the first position) and a side edge of the encapsulating attachment 3700 thereby preventing movement of the optics module 3702 when the spacer component 3706 is clipped into the track 3704. Use of the spacer component 3706 also makes the appearance of the encapsulating attachment 3700 more aesthetically pleasing when the optics module 3702 is in the first position.

FIG. 38 shows an alternative encapsulating attachment 3710 without the separate detachable package 3703. Whereas the encapsulating attachment 3700 shown in FIGS. 37A-37C may include systems such as attachment control circuitry 270, a trigger circuit 161, a battery 272, 163, a user control 288 to initiate the capture of a barcode, a trigger switch 157, links 276 a, 276 b, and/or a microphone connector 155, the encapsulating attachment 3710 shown in FIG. 38 may not include these systems. FIG. 38 depicts the optics module 3702 removed entirely from the track 3704.

FIGS. 39A and 39B are an assembled view and an exploded view of the optics module 3702, respectively. FIGS. 40A and 40B are cross-sectional views of the optics module 3702 along the A-A′ and B-B′ sections (shown in FIG. 39A), respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 39A, 39B, 40A, and 40B, the optics module 3702 is explained in detail. The optics module 3702 includes a chassis 3750. The chassis 3750 includes a sliding structure (not shown) for engaging with the track 3704 and permitting sliding in the direction of the track 3704 but preventing the optics module 3702 from being removed from the track 3704 (i.e., the sliding structure restricts movement in any direction other than the direction of the track 3704). The chassis 3750 includes a cavity 3751 in which a mirror support 3764, a mirror 3766 (i.e., a reflective surface), a collimating lens 3768, and/or a filter 3762 are accommodated. The mirror support 3764 holds the mirror 3766 within the field of view of the camera assembly 36 and the field of illumination of the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18. In an embodiment, the mirror support 3764 may hold the mirror 3766 at a 45 degree angle with respect to the optical axis of the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18. The chassis 3750 may include an aperture 3756, 3757 which may extend around the periphery of the field of view of the camera assembly 36 and the field of illumination of the white light source 84, respectively. Through the aperture 3756, 3757 the field of view of the camera assembly 36 and the field of illumination of the white light source 84 may extend into the optics module 3702 when the optics module 3702 is in the active position.

To prevent dirt and debris from accumulating on the mirror 3766 and other components, the interior (e.g., the cavity 3751) of the optics module 3702 may be sealed with a clear top window 3760 and a clear front window 3770. In other words, the optics module 3702 may comprise a sealed enclosure. The top window 3760 may sit within a top recess 3758 of the chassis 3750. The front window 3770 may sit within a front recess 3772 of the chassis 3750.

The top window 3760 to the sealed enclosure may be generally parallel to the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18. Through the top window 3760, the illumination from the white light source 84 enters the sealed enclosure (e.g., via the cavity 3751) and the illumination from the target area (e.g., the light reflected from the target area including a barcode presented in the target area) exits the sealed enclosure and is incident on the camera assembly 36. The front window 3770 to the sealed enclosure may be generally perpendicular to the back surface 74 of the mobile device 18. Through the front window 3770, the illumination from the white light source 84 exits the sealed enclosure to the target area and the illumination from the target area enters the sealed enclosure and is incident on the mirror 3766.

The top window 3760 may comprise a first window portion 3760 a and a second window portion 3760 b. The first window portion 3760 a may lie in the field of view of the camera assembly 36 and the second window portion 3760 b may lie in the field of illumination of the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18. To prevent illumination from the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 from affecting the image captured by the camera assembly 36, a baffle component 3760 c (e.g., an optical barrier) may separate the first window portion 3760 a and the second window portion 3760 b. Because of the baffle component 3760 c, the illumination from the white light source 84 projected through the second window portion 3760 b does not, by total internal reflection, propagate to the first window portion 3760 a and affect the image captured by the camera assembly 36.

The front window 3770 may comprise a first window portion 3770 a and a second window portion 3770 b. The first window portion 3770 a may lie in the field of view of the camera assembly 36 and the second window portion 3770 b may lie in the field of illumination of the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18. To prevent illumination from the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 from affecting the image captured by the camera assembly 36, a baffle component 3770 c (e.g., an optical barrier) may separate the first window portion 3770 a and the second window portion 3770 b. Because of the baffle component 3770 c, the illumination from the white light source 84 projected through the second window portion 3770 b does not, by total internal reflection, propagate to the first window portion 3770 a and affect the image captured by the camera assembly 36.

Alternatively, the top window 3760 and the front window 3770 may comprise two separate windows, respectively. The cavity 3751 may also be separated with a barrier or a wall.

The optics module 3702 may include a collimating optic within the field of illumination of the white light source 84. The collimating optic is for forming the illumination from the white light source 84 to project a targeting illumination pattern to the target area when the optics module 3702 is in an active position. The collimating optic may comprise a collimating lens 3768 and an aperture 3754.

For purposes of using the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 to generate a targeting illumination pattern, the chassis 3750 may include a rectangular-shaped aperture 3754 that restricts the field of illumination of the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 to a shape that is generally rectangular and within the center of the field of illumination. The restricted rectangular field of illumination may be incident on the mirror 3766 and folded towards the target area. A collimating lens 3768 collimates the rectangular field of illumination to a sharp rectangle that is visible on a surface positioned within the target area.

The collimating optic may further include a filter 3762 for passing a limited spectrum of the illumination emitted by the white light source 84 whereby the targeting illumination pattern, when incident on a surface, appears a color of the limited spectrum. The filter 3762 may be a low pass filter, a band pass filter, a high pass filter, or any type of filter. The filter 3762 (e.g., a blue-colored narrow band filter) may be positioned within the field of illumination of the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 (e.g., on the top of the chassis 3750 under the top window 3760) such that the targeting illumination visible within the target area may be primarily the color passed by the filter 3762 (e.g., the blue-colored illumination).

The collimating lens 3768 may be positioned on the front of the mirror 3766 behind the front window 3770. Alternatively, the collimating lens 3768 may be positioned between the top window 3760 and the mirror 3766. Alternatively, the collimating lens 3768 may be positioned between the mirror 3766 and the front window 3770.

As discussed, it is useful to be able to capture an image and decode the barcode while the targeting illumination remains on. However, the targeting illumination may be primarily a single color, and may be much brighter than areas adjacent to the rectangular field of targeting illumination. In addition, the size and shape of the rectangular field of targeting illumination may not be sufficient to illuminate an entire barcode. Image processing may be used to minimize those effects.

FIG. 34 depicts an exemplary image processing method for capturing a barcode while targeting illumination is on. The processing for capturing, decoding, and processing a barcode may be implemented by a barcode reading application running on the mobile device 18. Step 3410 represents capturing an image by the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 while the targeting illumination is on, outputting the image (e.g., in an RGB format) as described with respect to FIG. 2E, and saving each of the blue, green, and red channel images (referred to as first, second, and third channel images hereafter). The image capture function of the barcode reading application may control the white light source 84 and the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 to capture a color image of the target area illuminated by illumination generated by the white light source 84 and filtered by the filter 3762.

The camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 may include a color image capture system including an image sensor array for generating a color image of the target area. The white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 generates illumination (e.g., white light) encompassing a first band of illumination, a second band of illumination, and a third band of illumination (e.g., the visible spectrum encompassing the blue, green, and red spectrums of illumination). The illumination from the white light source 84 may be filtered by the filter 3762 to generate targeting illumination of a particular frequency band (e.g., a particular frequency spectrum). For example, the filter 3762 for generating the targeting illumination may be a narrow band filter to generate single-color illumination (e.g., blue illumination). The color image captured by the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 may comprise a first sub-image captured with a portion of the image sensor array sensitive to the first band of illumination, a second sub-image captured with a portion of the image sensor array sensitive to the second band of illumination, and a third sub-image captured with a portion of the image sensor array sensitive to the third band of illumination. Each of the first, second, and third bands may be a red, green, or blue band.

Referring to FIG. 35A, the color image (shown in grayscale) is a composite image of each of the first, second, and third channel images. The reflection of the rectangular targeting bar 3510 (e.g., the targeting illumination) is clearly shown in FIG. 35A with the brightness and contrast on the regions of the barcode under the targeting bar 3510 being brighter and higher contrast than the regions of the barcode that are not within the targeting bar 3510.

In the example shown in FIGS. 35A-35D, the targeting illumination is generated in blue color. However, it should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are applicable to targeting illumination of any color. FIG. 35B depicts the first channel image (the blue channel image). In this example, because the blue channel is most sensitive to the targeting illumination when the targeting illumination is filtered by a band-pass filter passing mostly blue illumination, the targeting bar 3510 within the first channel image is extremely bright and saturated, exceeding the dynamic range of the A/D converters used for digitizing the image.

FIG. 35C and FIG. 35D depict the second channel image (the green channel image) and the third channel image (the red channel image), respectively. The green channel image is more sensitive to the blue illumination because it is closer within the visible light spectrum to blue than is the red channel image. The image processing function of the barcode reading application may create a grayscale composite image of the barcode within the target area by combining the first sub-image, the second sub-image, and/or the third sub-image.

Returning to FIG. 34, step 3412 represents locating the targeting bar 3510 within the image. This step may be performed by identifying the region of saturation in the channel known to be most sensitive to the color of the targeting illumination (e.g., the blue channel if the targeting bar 3510 is produced by a blue-pass filter and appears blue, the red channel if the targeting bar 3510 is produced by a red-pass filter and appears red, and the green channel if the targeting bar 3510 is produced by a green-pass filter and appears green).

Step 3414 represents determining intensity profile values for the remaining channels (e.g., the second and third channels) that are least sensitive to the band of the targeting illumination. The intensity profile value for the first channel may also be determined. The intensity profile values for each channel may be determined based on at least one of: i) brightness and contrast within the region of the image illuminated by the targeting bar 3510 of each sub-image; or ii) brightness and contrast within the regions of the image which are not illuminated by the targeting bar 3510 of each sub-image.

Step 3416 represents determining ratios (or weights) for combining each of the first, second, and third channels to generate a grayscale composite image for further image processing and decoding. In more detail, the intensity profile values of the second and third channels (or alternatively all three channels) may be input to a function which generates a ratio (or weights) for combining the first, second, and third channels. The function may be a look-up table which maps combinations of ranges of each of the intensity profile values to combinations of ratios or weights.

For example, eight values including i) the brightness and contrast within the region of the image illuminated by the targeting bar 3510 for each of the second and third channels, and ii) the brightness and contrast within the regions of the image which are not illuminated by the targeting bar 3510 for each of the second and third channels may be input to a multi-dimensional look-up table to generate percentage values (e.g., weights or ratios) for the first, second, and third channel images. Different sets of input values may be used to determine the combining ratios or weights.

In determining the ratios or weights for generating the composite image, a contribution (e.g., the ratio or weight) from a sub-image captured by a portion of the image sensor array most sensitive to the frequency spectrum of the targeting illumination may be smaller than a contribution from the other two sub-images captured by the other two portions of the image sensor array.

Alternatively, the contribution from a sub-image captured by a portion of the image sensor array most sensitive to the frequency spectrum of the targeting illumination may be zero. For example, consider a case where the first band, the second band, and the third band of illumination are a red band, a green band, and a blue band, respectively, and the first sub-image, the second sub-image, and the third sub-image are images captured by the portion of the image sensor being most sensitive to red, green, and blue illumination, respectively. If the band of targeting illumination passed by the optical filter 3762 is a green band of illumination, the grayscale composite image may be a combination of the first and third sub-images. If the band of targeting illumination passed by the optical filter 3762 is a red band of illumination, the grayscale composite image may be a combination of the second and third sub-images. If the band of targeting illumination passed by the optical filter 3762 is a blue band of illumination, the grayscale composite image may be a combination of the first and second sub-images.

Step 3418 represents creating a combined image. For each pixel of the grayscale image, the digital gray level value of the composite image is the result of summing: i) the pixel value of the first channel image multiplied by the first channel ratio (or weight); ii) the pixel value of the second channel image multiplied by the second channel ratio (or weight); and iii) the pixel value of the third channel image multiplied by the third channel ratio (or weight).

As an example, depicted in FIG. 36A is a grayscale image resulting from summing, for each pixel of the image: i) the pixel value of the first channel image (blue) multiplied by the first channel ratio (0%); ii) the pixel value of the second channel image (green) multiplied by the second channel ratio (30%); and iii) the pixel value of the third channel image (red) multiplied by the third channel ratio (70%).

As another example, depicted in FIG. 36B is a grayscale image resulting from summing, for each pixel of the image: i) the pixel value of the first channel image (blue) multiplied by the first channel ratio (0%); ii) the pixel value of the second channel image (green) multiplied by the second channel ratio (15%); and iii) the pixel value of the third channel image (red) multiplied by the third channel ratio (85%).

A decoder function of the barcode reading application may receive the grayscale composite image of the barcode and generate decoded data representing data encoded in the barcode. A relay function of the barcode reading application may then send the decoded data to a (remote) server, for example, via a wireless connection established between the mobile device 18 and a network.

As discussed previously, a barcode-reading system in accordance with the present disclosure may include a barcode-reading enhancement accessory that is securable to a mobile device. The accessory may improve the barcode-reading capabilities of the mobile device. In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, targeting illumination projected by the accessory may be used to estimate the distance between the mobile device and a barcode, and this information may be used to adjust one or more operating parameters of the mobile device. This process may be referred to herein as ranging.

In the discussion that follows, reference will be made to the mobile device 18 shown in FIG. 2A (and subsequent figures). As discussed previously, the mobile device 18 may include a camera assembly 36, a white light source 84 for providing illumination, a processor 44, and memory 46. A barcode-reading application 24 may be stored in the memory 46 and executed by the processor 44.

Reference will also be made to the accessory 3700 shown in FIG. 37A (and subsequent figures). As discussed previously, the accessory 3700 may include an optic system that is positionable within the field of illumination of the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 when the accessory 3700 is secured to the mobile device 18. The optic system may be configured to shape and filter the illumination from the white light source 84 to project targeting illumination onto a surface that is located within the field of view of the camera assembly 36.

More specifically, as discussed above, the optic system may include an aperture 3754, a collimating lens 3768, and a filter 3762. The aperture 3754 may be configured to restrict the field of illumination of the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18 to a particular shape, such as a rectangular shape. The collimating lens 3768 may be configured to collimate the rectangular field of illumination to a rectangular targeting bar 3510. The filter 3762 may be configured to pass a limited spectrum of the illumination emitted by the white light source 84, so that the targeting bar 3510, when incident on a surface, appears as the color of the limited spectrum. Thus, the targeting illumination may be primarily a single color (e.g., green). The application 24 may be configured to utilize known image processing techniques to identify the targeting illumination within an image (e.g., an image of a barcode).

The offset (or distance) between certain features of the targeting illumination may vary with the distance between the mobile device 18 and a surface on which the targeting illumination is projected. The surface on which the targeting illumination is projected may be referred to herein as the “target surface.” The distance between the mobile device 18 and the target surface may be referred to herein as the “surface distance.”

FIGS. 41A-C illustrate images 4108 a-c of targeting illumination projected by an accessory 3700 onto a target surface 4104 at three different surface distances. More specifically, FIG. 41A illustrates an image 4108 a of the targeting illumination projected on the target surface 4104 at a surface distance D₁, FIG. 41B illustrates an image 4108 b of the targeting illumination projected on the target surface 4104 at a surface distance D₂, and FIG. 41C illustrates an image 4108 c of the targeting illumination projected on the target surface 4104 at a surface distance D₃, where D₁<D₂<D₃. In other words, the mobile device 18 is positioned closest to the target surface 4104 in FIG. 41A, farther away from the target surface 4104 in FIG. 41B, and farthest away from the target surface 4104 in FIG. 41C. A barcode 4102 is printed or otherwise displayed on the target surface 4104.

In the depicted embodiment, the targeting illumination includes a rectangular targeting bar 4110. The width of the targeting bar 4110 may be defined as the distance between the left edge 4114 and the right edge 4116 of the targeting bar 4110. As can be seen in the images 4108 a-c shown in FIGS. 41A-C, as the surface distance increases (i.e., as the distance between the mobile device 18 and the target surface 4104 increases), the width of the targeting bar 4110 increases. More specifically, when the mobile device 18 is positioned relatively close to the target surface 4104 (as in the image 4108 a shown in FIG. 41A), only limited divergence occurs between the left edge 4114 and the right edge 4116 of the targeting bar 4110, such that the targeting bar 4110 is relatively narrow. However, as the mobile device 18 is moved farther away from the target surface 4104 (as in the images 4108 b-c shown in FIGS. 41B and 41C), the amount of divergence between the left edge 4114 and the right edge 4116 of the targeting bar 4110 increases, such that the targeting bar 4110 becomes increasingly wider. Thus, the targeting bar 4110 is narrowest in the image 4108 a shown in FIG. 41A, somewhat wider in the image 4108 b shown in FIG. 41B, and widest in the image 4108 c shown in FIG. 41C. The barcode 4102 appears increasingly smaller in the images 4108 a-c (largest in the image 4108 a shown in FIG. 41A, somewhat smaller in the image 4108 b shown in FIG. 41B, and smallest in the image 4108 c shown in FIG. 41C) because of the increasing distance between the mobile device 18 and the target surface 4104.

As used herein, the term “feature offset” may refer to an offset (or distance) between distinct features of the targeting illumination. The width of the targeting bar 4110 shown in FIGS. 41A-C is an example of a feature offset. In this example, there is a single shape (the targeting bar 4110), and the width of the targeting bar 4110 represents the offset between different parts of that shape (the left edge 4114 and the right edge 4116 of the targeting bar 4110). Alternatively, the targeting illumination may include separate shapes, and the offset between the separate shapes may be determined and used to determine surface distance.

Features of targeting illumination may be offset from one another in the horizontal direction only, the vertical direction only, or in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Thus, a feature offset may include a horizontal component only, a vertical component only, or both a horizontal component and a vertical component.

In the example shown in FIGS. 41A-C, the offset between features of the targeting illumination is proportional to surface distance (i.e., the offset increases as surface distance increases). Alternatively, however, the offset between features of the targeting illumination may be inversely proportional to surface distance (i.e., the offset may decrease as surface distance increases).

Although FIGS. 41A-C depict the targeting illumination as a targeting bar 4110, the targeting illumination may take other forms in accordance with the present disclosure. A targeting illumination system in accordance with the present disclosure may project a single shape or multiple shapes. For example, the targeting illumination may include non-parallel targeting beams 138 a-b as shown in FIG. 7B, any of the targeting patterns described with respect to FIGS. 8A-D, etc. Features projected by a targeting illumination system may have any of a wide variety of shapes, including solid shapes, hollow shapes, and combinations thereof. Further, such shapes may include curvilinear shapes, rectilinear shapes, and combinations thereof. Some examples are circles, crosses, triangles, rectangles, parallelograms, other polygons, ellipses, annular shapes, and the like.

The mobile device 18 may store calibration data that indicates a relationship between surface distance and at least one feature offset of the targeting illumination. FIG. 42 illustrates calibration data in accordance with an embodiment. In the depicted embodiment, the calibration data is stored in a lookup table 4218. The lookup table 4218 may include a plurality of surface distance fields (D₁, D₂, D₃, . . . ) and a plurality of feature offset fields (O₁, O₂, O₃, . . . ). More specifically, the lookup table 4218 may include a plurality of records, and each record may include a feature offset field (O_(i)) that is associated with (or linked to) a particular surface distance field (D_(i)). For example, the lookup table 4218 may include a first record that includes feature offset field O₁ associated with surface distance field D₁, a second record that includes feature offset field O₂ associated with surface distance field D₂, etc. Thus, each feature offset field (O_(i)) may be associated with (or linked to) a corresponding surface distance field (D_(i)).

The feature offset field (O_(i)) in a particular record may indicate the feature offset of the targeting illumination (e.g., the width of the targeting bar 4110) in an image that is captured by the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 when the surface distance (i.e., the distance between the mobile device 18 and the target surface 4104) is equal to the value of the corresponding surface distance field (D_(i)).

FIG. 43 illustrates calibration data in accordance with another embodiment. In this embodiment, the calibration data is again stored in a lookup table 4318. However, this lookup table 4318 includes more information than the lookup table 4218 shown in FIG. 42. More specifically, each record in the lookup table 4318 is shown with the following fields: a surface distance field (D_(i)), a first location field (x₁, y₁)_(i), a second location field (x₂, y₂)_(i), and a feature offset field (O_(i)).

The surface distance field (D_(i)) may indicate a surface distance. The first location field (x₁, y₁)_(i) may indicate a location of a first feature of the targeting illumination (e.g., the left edge 4114 of the targeting bar 4110) in an image taken at the surface distance. This image may be referred to herein as a calibration image, for reasons that will be explained below. The second location field (x₂, y₂)_(i) may indicate a location of a second feature of the targeting illumination (e.g., the right edge 4116 of the targeting bar 4110) in the calibration image. The feature offset field (O_(i)) may indicate the feature offset of the targeting illumination in the calibration image. More specifically, the feature offset field (O_(i)) may indicate a difference between the location of the first feature of the targeting illumination in the calibration image and the location of the second feature of the targeting illumination in the calibration image.

Other configurations of the calibration data are possible in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, each record in the lookup table 4318 may include the surface distance field (D_(i)), the first location field (x₁, y₁)_(i), and the second location field (x₂, y₂)_(i), and the feature offset field (O_(i)) may be calculated when necessary.

It is also not necessary that the calibration data take the form of a lookup table. The calibration data may be any tool that can be used to determine the distance of a surface from the mobile device 18 based on the offset of features in targeting illumination. For example, in some embodiments, the calibration data may simply take the form of a mathematical formula. A mathematical formula may be utilized, for example, when the offset between features of the targeting illumination varies linearly with surface distance. The mathematical formula may receive a feature offset of the targeting illumination as input, and provide an estimated surface distance as output.

FIG. 44 illustrates a method 4400 for determining calibration data. The method 4400 may be performed as part of a calibration process for the accessory 3700 and/or for the mobile device 18. Under some circumstances, such a calibration process may be performed on a single occasion (e.g., during manufacturing or after initial purchase). Under other circumstances, however, calibration may be performed periodically.

In step 4402 of the method 4400, the mobile device 18 may be positioned at a known surface distance. More specifically, the mobile device 18 may be positioned so that the distance between the mobile device 18 and a target surface 4104 (which, for purposes of this method 4400, may or may not include a barcode 4102) is known.

In step 4404, the application 24 may cause the accessory 3700 to project targeting illumination (e.g., a rectangular targeting bar 4110) onto the target surface 4104.

In step 4406, the application 24 may cause the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 to capture an image of the target surface 4104. The image may be captured while the mobile device 18 is positioned at the known distance from the target surface 4104, and while the targeting illumination is being projected onto the target surface 4104. Thus, the image that is captured may include the targeting illumination. The image may be referred to herein as a calibration image, because it is captured for the purpose of determining calibration data.

In step 4408, the application 24 may determine information about the calibration image that was captured in step 4406. For example, if the calibration data takes the form of the lookup table 4318 shown in FIG. 43, the application 24 may determine the location of a first feature of the targeting illumination (e.g., the left edge 4114 of the targeting bar 4110) in the calibration image and the location of a second feature of the targeting illumination (e.g., the right edge 4116 of the targeting bar 4110) in the calibration image. Various image processing algorithms may be used to determine the locations of these features. The application 24 may also determine the offset between the location of the first feature and the location of the second feature (e.g., the width of the targeting bar 4110) in the calibration image. The locations that are determined, and the offset between those locations, may include only an x coordinate, only a y coordinate, or both x and y coordinates.

In step 4410, the application 24 may record the information that was determined in step 4408 in the calibration data. For example, if the calibration data takes the form of a lookup table, this may involve creating a new record for the lookup table and recording the information that was determined in step 4408 in the appropriate fields of the lookup table.

In step 4412, the application 24 may determine whether a sufficient amount of calibration data has been determined. This may involve determining whether calibration data has been determined for all of the surface distances of interest. If the application 24 determines that a sufficient amount of calibration data has been determined, the method 4400 may end. If the application 24 determines that a sufficient amount of calibration data has not been determined, the method 4400 may proceed to step 4414, in which the mobile device 18 may be positioned at a different surface distance (i.e., a surface distance for which calibration data has not previously been determined). The method 4400 may then return to step 4404 and proceed as described above.

Steps 4404 through 4414 may be performed multiple times, so that a plurality of calibration images are captured by the camera assembly 36 and information about the plurality of calibration images is recorded in the calibration data. Generally speaking, increasing the amount of calibration data that is collected improves the accuracy of surface distance estimation.

Calibration data may be determined in other ways as well. For example, a plurality of feature offsets may be calculated based on known divergence of the targeting illumination. These feature offsets may be stored as calibration data (e.g., in a lookup table) instead of or in addition to the feature offsets calculated in the method 4400 of FIG. 44.

FIG. 45 illustrates a method 4500 for obtaining ranging data in accordance with an embodiment. More specifically, the method 4500 may be implemented in order to estimate the distance between the mobile device 18 and a target surface 4104, which may include a barcode 4102 printed or otherwise displayed thereon. The method 4500 may be performed while the mobile device 18 is being used to read one or more barcodes 4102.

In step 4502, the application 24 may cause the accessory 3700 to project targeting illumination onto a target surface 4104. A barcode may be printed or otherwise displayed on the target surface 4104.

In step 4504, the application 24 may cause the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 to capture an image of the target surface 4104. The image may include the barcode on the target surface 4104, as well as the targeting illumination projected onto the target surface 4104.

In step 4506, the application 24 may determine a feature offset of the targeting illumination in the image that was captured in step 4504. For example, in an embodiment where the targeting illumination includes a rectangular targeting bar 4110 (as shown in FIGS. 41A-C), determining the feature offset may include determining the width of the rectangular targeting bar 4110.

As discussed above, the optic system in the accessory 3700 may include an optical filter 3762 that is configured to pass a limited spectrum of the illumination emitted by the white light source 84. As also discussed above, an image captured by the camera assembly 36 of the mobile device 18 may include a plurality of channel images (e.g., red, green, and blue channel images). In accordance with an embodiment, the application 24 may be configured so that it only uses one channel image of the plurality of channel images to determine the feature offset of the targeting illumination. The channel image that is used may be the one that is most sensitive to the limited spectrum that is passed by the optical filter 3762. More specifically, the channel image that is used may be more sensitive to the limited spectrum that is passed by the optical filter 3762 than other channel images of the plurality of channel images.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, the optical filter 3762 may be configured to pass a specific color of illumination, so that the targeting bar 4110 appears to be a specific color (e.g., green). In such embodiments, the application 24 may be configured to use the corresponding channel image (e.g., the green channel image) to determine the feature offset of the targeting illumination. For example, in embodiments where the targeting bar 4110 appears green, the targeting bar 4110 may be more easily detected in the green channel image than in the red channel image or the blue channel image.

In embodiments where the optical filter 3762 is configured to pass green illumination, the optical filter 3762 may be configured to pass light having a wavelength of about 510 nm, and filter other wavelengths of light. In one embodiment, a wavelength of about 510 nm refers to any wavelength in the range of 500-520 nm. In another embodiment, a wavelength of about 510 nm refers to any wavelength in the range of 490-530 nm.

Returning to the method 4500 shown in FIG. 45, in step 4508, the application 24 may determine an estimated surface distance based on the calibration data and the feature offset that was determined in step 4506. In an embodiment where the calibration data takes the form of a lookup table (as shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, for example), determining the estimated surface distance may include identifying the feature offset field (O_(i)) whose value is closest to the feature offset that was determined in step 4506, and returning the value of the corresponding surface distance field (D_(i)) as the estimated surface distance. For example, referring to the lookup table 4218 shown in FIG. 42, if the value of the feature offset field O₂ is closer to the feature offset that was determined in step 4506 than the value of any of the other feature offset fields in the lookup table 4218, then the value of the corresponding surface distance field D₂ may be returned as the estimated surface distance.

Alternatively, determining the estimated surface distance may include interpolating the estimated surface distance using the calibration data and the feature offset that was determined in step 4506. For example, referring again to the lookup table 4218 shown in FIG. 42, suppose that the feature offset that was determined in step 4506 is between the value of the feature offset fields O₂ and O₃. In this case, interpolation between those values may be performed to provide an estimated surface distance that is between the values of the corresponding surface distance fields D₂ and D₃.

In an embodiment where the calibration data takes the form of a mathematical formula, determining the estimated surface distance may include providing the feature offset that was determined in step 4506 as input to the formula. The formula may then return the estimated surface distance as output.

In step 4510, the application 24 may use the estimated surface distance that was determined in step 4508 to adjust at least one operating parameter of the mobile device 18. The adjustment may optimize image capture at the estimated surface distance. For example, the application 24 may adjust the intensity of the illumination provided by the white light source 84 of the mobile device 18. The intensity may be varied in proportion to the estimated surface distance. More specifically, the intensity may be increased as the estimated surface distance increases (i.e., as the mobile device 18 is moved farther away from the barcode 4102), and vice versa.

One or more of the features, functions, procedures, operations, components, elements, structures, etc. described in connection with any one of the configurations described herein may be combined with one or more of the functions, procedures, operations, components, elements, structures, etc. described in connection with any of the other configurations described herein, where compatible.

The steps and/or actions of the methods described herein may be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the method that is being described, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.

The claims are not limited to the specific implementations described above. Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the implementations described herein without departing from the scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A barcode-reading system for a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a camera assembly and a white light source for providing illumination, the barcode-reading system comprising: a barcode-reading enhancement accessory securable to the mobile device, the barcode-reading enhancement accessory comprising an optic system that is positionable within a field of illumination of the white light source when the barcode-reading enhancement accessory is secured to the mobile device, the optic system being configured to shape and filter the illumination from the white light source to project targeting illumination onto a target surface; calibration data that indicates a relationship between surface distance and at least one feature offset of the targeting illumination; and a barcode-reading application stored in memory of the mobile device, the barcode-reading application being executable by a processor of the mobile device to: determine a feature offset of the targeting illumination in an image that is captured by the camera assembly of the mobile device; determine an estimated surface distance based on the calibration data and the feature offset; and use the estimated surface distance to adjust at least one operating parameter of the mobile device. 